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Kindbridge welcomes the appointment of three new Board members

Published

3 years ago

May 27, 2022

Kindbridge welcomes the appointment of three new Board members

Kindbridge, a mental health tele-therapy company specialising in treating gambling and gaming related harms and addictions, today announces the appointment of three new members to the Board – Brianne Doura-Schawohl, Eric Kussin and Seth Young.

The new appointees come from a range of backgrounds across the mental health, gambling and gaming sectors. They are committed to making Kindbridge an integral part of the consumer protection system – at the intersection of state and regulator policy; sport and casino policy; and mental health advocacy in schools and sports teams, from high school to professional athlete level.

Currently, demand for specialist mental health care far outweighs available provision, so vulnerable people and their families are not getting timely access to treatment. Kindbridge is committed to bridging this gap. Its mission is to build the largest network of licensed mental health providers in the US that focus on better access to high-quality online support for those struggling with mental health issues, including gambling and gaming-related harms. The unique background and expertise of the new Board members will be a great asset in helping Kindbridge to deliver its mission.

Daniel Umfleet, CEO of Kindbridge, said: “This strategic expansion of the Board offers an opportunity to provide high-quality mental health services for employees and patrons of sportsbooks, casinos, and associated businesses. People experiencing mental health conditions are up to 17 times more likely to develop gambling disorder if gambling becomes a regular form of entertainment for them.

“Given the state of mental health in the US and the rapid expansion of legal sports betting, we have a unique opportunity to provide more screening and education, while simultaneously building a national network of care providers that understand the complexities of gambling disorder.”

Brianne Doura-Schawohl said: “This is a very exciting opportunity to make a big impact on a space that has been calling out for support for years. A telehealth solution that organizes care and access that works with large-scale corporations and distribution partners to get the message out there about the necessity to manage mental health in the gambling space is a huge victory that is long overdue.”

Eric Kussin said: “Gambling addiction has largely gone unaddressed in US sport, and this is a chance to drive the conversation about the underlying mental health factors that can and often do lead to problem gambling. This conversation is needed now more than ever as the factors that impact mental health complications have been on the rise, and gambling which can temporarily soothe or even cover up one’s emotional pain, is more accessible than ever. I’m very happy to be playing a part in building Kindbridge.”

Seth Young said: “Kindbridge is a first-of-its-kind solution for the gaming space that offers real, tangible support and services to individuals that may be experiencing behavioral issues related to gambling, in addition to other tremendously credible mental health support initiatives on both an individualized and corporate level. It’s time there was a solid solution for this at scale in the US gaming market, and Kindbridge is paving the way.”

Brianne Doura-Schawohl is founder and CEO of Doura-Schawohl Consulting LLC. She most recently served as Vice President of US Policy and Strategic Development for EPIC Risk Management, a global harm prevention consultancy, conducting work in over 24 countries. Prior to that, she was Legislative Director for the National Council on Problem Gambling. Her experience includes a decade of leadership in advocacy, public policy, government affairs and communications. She has a history of achievements in United States Congressional legislative work, including a diverse portfolio of complex problem gambling policy issues. Doura-Schawohl was named one of the top 100 lobbyists in 2021 by the National Institute of Lobbying & Ethics and was featured as one of the 25 People to Watch in 2022 by Global Gaming Business. She has spoken at many conferences and other public events on gaming policy in the US, Europe, Canada, and Australia. Doura-Schawohl holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Mary Washington.

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Eric Kussin is a professional sports executive with almost 20 years’ experience, including roles at the NBA and NHL. However, a debilitating mental health crisis stopped Eric’s career and life in its tracks for over two and a half years. After many failed treatment modalities, he learnt healing practices that enabled him to recover and commit to helping others. In 2017, he launched a non-profit called: #SameHere, The Global Mental Health Alliance. The Alliance is comprised of athletes, celebrities, media, expert practitioners, advocates, and everyday heroes who have come together to normalize society’s perception of mental health and make it part of everyday conversation. The #SameHere movement has swept across K-12s, college campuses, corporate offices and professional sports teams in the US, and has recently started to expand globally. Kussin also consults for a number of professional sports teams and leagues.

Seth Young is an international gaming expert with nearly two decades’ experience and a successful track record of continuously being at the forefront of new online gaming technologies and strategies. He is currently the Chief Strategy Officer at Fifth Street Gaming Digital and Managing Partner at The Strategy Organization, a full-service gaming consultancy. In addition to these roles, Young also serves on the Board of Directors for Aquimo Technologies, EQL Games and is an advisor to numerous start-ups in the gaming sector. He won the Innovation Group’s 2018 Emerging Leaders of Gaming Award and was named on Global Gaming Business Magazine’s 40 Under 40 list in 2018. Young holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science, with a double minor in Internet Studies and Legal Studies from Brandeis University and attended Harvard Business School for Mergers and Acquisitions: Strategy, Execution and Post-Merger Management.

Five in five people experience a mental health related issue at some point in their lifetime. Left untreated, mental health issues can have a devastating impact on work, education, relationships, and physical and mental health. Kindbridge remotely diagnoses and treats qualified disorders that may arise from poor mental health, with a strong focus on gaming and gambling addiction, and provides access to licensed mental health providers from anywhere in the US.

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Gambling in the USA

Plaza Hotel & Casino Partners with Aristocrat Gaming™ to Debut Downtown’s First Buffalo & Mo’ Friends™ Slot Area

Published

12 hours ago

August 28, 2025

Peter Tolan

Ribbon cutting event and launch of player promotion: Thursday, Sept. 4, 11 a.m.

On Thursday, Sept. 4 at 11 a.m., the Plaza Hotel & Casino will hold a ribbon cutting to celebrate the debut of a new dedicated area for fans of the wildly popular Buffalo™ and Mo’ Mummy™ slot game franchises and other player-favorite Aristocrat Gaming titles. With 63 games, the Buffalo & Mo’ Friends slot area at the Plaza is the only one in downtown Las Vegas.

Located between the casino cage and the Plaza Rewards Players Club, the Buffalo & Mo’ Friends area at the Plaza features numerous fan-favorite Aristocrat Gaming titles, including:

Buffalo Ultimate Stampede™,
Buffalo Ascension™,
Buffalo Power Pays™,
Buffalo Triple Power™,
Coin Trio Buffalo™,
Buffalo and Friends™,
Buffalo Diamond Extreme™,
Mo’ Mummy,
Mo’ Mo’ Mo’ Mummy™,
Spooky Link™,
Ultimate Fast Cash™,
House of the Dragon™,
Phoenix Link™,
Jackpot Carnival™,
Firecracker Fortunes™,
Dragon Link™,
Lucky Looters™ and more.

The eye-catching wraps, bright lights, and distinct game sounds, Buffalo & Mo’ Friends welcomes players to a dedicated space of entertainment and excitement with their favorite games and ones they have yet to experience.

“Our goal on the casino floor is to offer the newest and most popular games to our guests, and our players are big fans of the various Buffalo and Mo’ Mummy games. So, we are thrilled to partner with Aristocrat Gaming on this dedicated game area that sets the Plaza apart from the rest of downtown Las Vegas,” said Jonathan Jossel, CEO of the Plaza Hotel & Casino.

“We pride ourselves in creating entertaining games that invite players to step into a world of fun with favorite characters, themes and gameplay features,” said Kurt Gissane, Chief Revenue Officer for Aristocrat Gaming. “The creation of the Buffalo & Mo’ Friends gaming area has truly been a collaborative effort with the Plaza team, wanting to give their players Mo’ and the new Buffalo & Mo’ Friends area certainly delivers. We look forward to seeing player excitement when they see all their favorite Aristocrat games in one vibrant area.”

To celebrate the debut of Buffalo & Mo’ Friends on Thursday, Sept. 4, the Plaza will offer Plaza Rewards players a variety of Buffalo-branded swag items and the chance of larger prizes based on the number of points accumulated daily. The Buffalo-themed promotion will last until Oct. 4 or while supplies last. Full rules available at the Plaza Rewards Players Club.

Gambling in the USA

INTRALOT, Inc. signs contract with Montana Lottery to deliver next-generation lottery technology

Published

12 hours ago

August 28, 2025

Peter Tolan

INTRALOT S.A. is pleased to announce that its U.S. subsidiary, INTRALOT, Inc., has been awarded anew contract to provide the Montana Lottery with a next-generation lottery operating system and related services, including continued support for its Sports Bet Montana wagering product.

The new contract award follows a competitive Request For Proposal procurement process and marks the third contract between INTRALOT and the Montana Lottery, extending a nearly 20-year partnership built on innovation, reliability, and results.

The new agreement spans seven years with three one-year extension options and will ensure a fully modernized solution for nearly 1,300 retailers statewide. Under this new contract, INTRALOT will deploy its industry-leading LotosX Omni™ solution, which delivers a unified, future-ready lottery experience for players across the state using LotosX™, a best-in-class gaming platform engineered for upmost security, scalability, and innovation. INTRALOT will also design and provide an upgraded retail network infrastructure that will include the award-winning PhotonX retailer terminals and peripherals, plus new self-service terminals and multi-product vending machines, making the gaming experience more convenient and entertaining than ever for Montanans.

Bob Brown, Director of the Montana Lottery commented “We are very pleased to extend our business relationship with INTRALOT, a company that has been our partner for nearly two decades. This new contract ensures our lottery system remains modern and secure, allowing us to provide our retailers and players with the best possible experience. The LotosX Omni™ solution and new retail technology will be a game-changer, helping us to deliver an even more engaging experience for our players and continue to generate important revenue for the STEM scholarship program and for the State of Montana.”

Richard Bateson, CEO of INTRALOT, Inc. commented “We are honored to enter our third contract with the Montana Lottery and continue to partner with the Lottery as it embarks on its next phase of growth. With this new agreement, INTRALOT is bringing fresh resources, expanded expertise, andstate-of-the-art technology to reset and strengthen our local presence in Montana. At the heart of this transformation is our LotosXTM platform, a modular, microservices-based system that accelerates time to market, enables player-centric innovation, and delivers enhanced security and player protection through a proven and future-ready architecture.”

Since 2006, INTRALOT has played a pivotal role in Montana’s lottery success, helping to increase sales by an impressive 286% through technology upgrades and operational enhancements. Notably, INTRALOT introduced sports wagering to the state in 2020, uniquely tailored to Montana’s regulatory framework, and powers the Lottery’s wildly successful raffle game

Gambling in the USA

West Virginia University Announces New Gift to Support the Center for Gaming Research and Development

Published

13 hours ago

August 28, 2025

Peter Tolan

West Virginia University’s John Chambers College of Business and Economics is proud to announce the establishment of a new fund for the Center for Gaming Research and Development, generously seeded by gaming industry veterans Chen and Benjamin Truman.

Launched with the mission to promote research on responsible gaming practices and consumer protection in gambling markets, the Center leverages leading-edge expertise — including Chambers College like Professor Brad Humphreys, an internationally recognized researcher in the economics of gaming markets.

This new fund will enable the Center to:

Expand its research initiatives into gaming markets, including analysis of transactions level data provided by gaming operators in West Virginia to identify and understand problematic gambling behavior and ensure fair pricing of wagers.
Enhance integration of gaming-focused research and analytics into curricular offerings in the Chambers college, including cybersecurity, business data analytics, finance, management information systems, and economics.
Develop courses, training, certificates, initiatives and other activities designed to foster innovation in gaming technology development, and prepare students for careers in racing, gaming, gaming operations, hospitality management, guest relations, entertainment, and other amenities typically offered in conjunction with gaming operations.
Foster deeper collaboration with policymakers and industry stakeholders to translate research insights into impactful policy and practice.

The Center’s research, education, and outreach will have an important impact on the lives of state residents, college students throughout the state, gaming industry firms operating in the state, and state gaming regulators. This generous gift will allow the Center to fulfill the role envisioned by the state legislature when they passed The Responsible Gaming and Research and Industry Development Act. — Professor Brad Humphreys, Director, Center for Gaming Research and Development

This strategic investment by Chen and Benjamin Truman, a WVU alumni, underscores their commitment to evidence-based research and responsible industry practices. It will help propel the Center’s mission to safeguard consumer interests within evolving gaming markets.

We’re thrilled to see West Virginia University take a leadership role in shaping the future of iGaming and sports betting policy. As industry veterans, Chen and I are proud to support a mission that will not only advance responsible gaming but also help set the global standard for innovation and consumer protection in this space.” — Benjamin Truman, Co-Founder, Absolutebet.

About the Center for Gaming Research and Development

The Center was created by an Act of the West Virginia legislature, the Responsible Gaming and Research and Industry Development Act. The Center is dedicated to advancing academic research, analyzing gaming data including transactions level data, developing courses and initiatives to prepare WVU students for careers in the gaming industry, and shaping policy and industry standards through collaboration, education, and data-driven insight. It seeks to mitigate inherent risks in gaming—such as problem gambling and pricing opacity—by empowering informed decision-making among consumers, regulators, and industry players.

About the John Chambers College of Business and Economics

Located at West Virginia University, the Chambers College combines rigorous academic programs with an emphasis on cutting-edge research, equipping students to address real-world challenges across business disciplines.