Colorado recently distributed almost $1 million to fund projects aimed at addressing problem gambling in the state.
It’s the second disbursement since the Responsible Gaming Grant Program was passed. The money has been awarded as grants to agencies or projects to promote responsible gambling in Colorado.
This year’s disbursement from the Colorado Limited Gaming Control Commission goes to two organizations, the Colorado Division of Gaming and the Kindbridge Research Institute.
Grants is going to fund 5 projects within the state
In its April meeting, the gaming commission approved the two grant recipients, awarding a total of $908,089. The money will fund three projects.
The Colorado Division of Gaming will use the funds to continue their marketing campaign on responsible gambling, Play Legal, Play Responsible, Play Safe. It promotes the resources available to problem gamblers and encourages safe and responsible gaming.
The Kindbridge Research Institute will oversee the other two projects.
The first project is called the Colorado Athlete Well-being Program. Kindbridge is creating the program to counteract online harassment that players receive as a byproduct of sports betting.
The program will provide educational resources and a Colorado Athlete Well-being app. The app will include a mental health assessment, together making up what Kindbridge calls the “Pathway to Treatment.”
Kindbridge’s second project is the Colorado Military Problem Gaming Research, Education, and Recovery Program. It will develop an awareness campaign and a Colorado Military Research Fellowship.
Fee awarded much more than $1. 5M last year
Colorado Governor Jared Polis, through House Bill 22-1402, signed the Responsible Gaming Grant Program into law in 2022. His intention is to continually address problem gambling and promote responsible gaming. The program sunsets in 2032 but may be extended through a review process.
The first round of funding awarded through the grant was approximately $1.5 million. It went towards certification programs and gambling counselor training. It also funded research to better understand the scope of problem gambling in Colorado. Additionally, some of the funds went towards a collegiate education program, a social media campaign, and the establishment of a problem gambling center.
T.J. McBride is a Denver-based writer and reporter with an extensive background in covering the NBA and Denver Nuggets. T.J. is a Southern California native who provides news and analysis on the legal gambling industry across several L’Entraide Média’s regional US sites.
