FanDuel has introduced a new set of problem gaming awareness initiatives and financial support options as part of March’s Problem Gambling Awareness Month (PGAM). This year's event is being led by the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG), with the theme of ‘every story matters' at the center.
FanDuel’s offering to PGAM will include a problem gambling mental health service which is set to be trialed in New Jersey and Ohio, designed to support self-excluded players with resources including complimentary mental health assessments and tools to book immediate appointments with problem gambling treatment providers.
These services have been made in collaboration with mental health service provider Kindbridge Behavioral Health. On the collaboration, Kindbridge CEO Daniel Umfleet said, "We are thrilled to be working with FanDuel to offer vital mental health support for players in need. This collaboration is deeply resonant, extending a compassionate hand to those navigating the complex terrain of problem gambling.”
Alongside these services, FanDuel is also set to donate $150,000 to the NCPG to support its Agility Grants program, which is in part funded by the NFL and last October saw five non-profit organizations receive combined grants of $176,000. FanDuel will also donate $150,000 to the International Center for Responsible Gaming (ICRG), which will help fund research into gambling behavior in the US and how to improve responsible gaming programs.
On the donation, NCPG Executive Director Keith Whyte said, "Investing in prevention is key to mitigating gambling-related harm. We appreciate FanDuel's support of NCPG and their proactive and collaborative approach to providing problem gambling prevention, research and treatment resources."
FanDuel is also set to provide rewards to players using responsible gambling tools such as deposit and wager limits in select retail locations.
FanDuel is not the only company creating new resources for PGAM. Already backed by bodies in Pennsylvania such as the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) and Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) and being pursued by the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), companies like Sporttrade have made collaborations to improve and diversify their responsible gaming offerings as part of PGAM initiatives.
