Playtech has partnered up with Kindbridge, the world’s first virtual mental health clinic for gamblers and gamers, to conduct new research on gambling treatment.
The research will focus on the mental health of gamblers, gamers and those suffering from digital dependency in order to identify areas to help and support them. This will result in the creation of an evidence-based model for gambling treatment in a telehealth setting through the newly formed Kindbridge Research Institute.
The aim of the partnership is to use technological advancements to improve the understanding and treatment of gambling and digital dependency related harms, enhancing treatment efficacy in a virtual setting.
The Center for Gambling Studies at Rutgers University in New Jersey is being commissioned by the Kindbridge Research Institute to set up the evidence-based telehealth model, which will be used to evaluate the effectiveness of treatments and support for digital gambling related harm.
“The research partnership with Kindbridge and Rutgers University will play a critical role in helping the sector design and deliver high quality digital wellbeing and mental health support for those at-risk and affected by gambling related harm.” said Mor Weizer, Playtech CEO, adding:
“We are delighted to partner with Kindbridge Research Institute and Kindbridge clinical network as they pioneer the next generation of gambling treatment, services and support in the US.”
Kindbridge is working to create access to care pathways through telehealth that will eliminate barriers for gamblers and gamers to specially trained resources that can help them actively manage their mental health.
In order to do this, the virtual mental health clinic is working with US casino operators as well as insurance companies and social impact organisations, allowing the institute to analyse player data, alongside its own retrieved from its clinical network, to provide a better understanding of the origins of potential harmful gambling and gaming behaviour.
The data research will be used to create personalised intelligent approaches to treatment, designed to have the greatest impact for those that need help, and is expected to become available within the next 18-24 months.
Lia Nower, J.D., Ph.D., professor and director of the Center for Gambling Studies at Rutgers University and lead researcher on this study, commented: “We are excited to partner with Kindbridge to build a standardized and effective treatment framework for problem gambling and video gaming.
“Kindbridge is the first treatment agency in the U.S. that is exclusively focused in these areas, and delivering treatment we can test for effectiveness fills an unmet need in this time of rapid expansion.”
Through the partnership, Playtech is also providing Kindbridge with knowledge and support on digital learning from its Playtech Academy team, helping to build the Kindbridge Internal Learning Management System to be used by therapists and internal staff. Kindbridge’s therapists will undertake thorough training while Playtech helps to digitise its content.
Daniel Umfleet, CEO of Kindbridge, concluded: “Combining data from players and Kindbridge’s clinical network will result in meaningful insight that has never before been achieved.
“The scale of the data sets mean we can gain in-depth understanding into those who are currently suffering from harmful gambling behaviours, as well as members of their support network who may also be affected.
“This research will allow data scientists, academics and researchers to gain more insight on effective support and treatment in a digital environment than ever before.”
