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Kindbridge welcomes the appointment of three new Board members

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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.

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“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.

Compliance Updates

Tennessee Sports Wagering Council Takes Action Against Illegal Sportsbook

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The Tennessee Sports Wagering Council through its executive director issued $50,000 in fines to Bovada.lv, an unlicensed and therefore illegal sportsbook operating in Tennessee.

Bovada failed to comply with cease and desist letters delivered to addresses in Curaçao, and Council investigators placed wagers through Bovada’s platform on three separate occasions, including as recently as October 16, 2024.

The Sports Gaming Act authorizes the Council to impose a $10,000 fine for the first offense of accepting wagers without a license, which rises to $15,000 for the second offense, and $25,000 for the third offense. Subsequent offenses may lead to the imposition of a $25,000 fine for each occurrence, an occurrence being a single wager accepted in Tennessee.

In the cease and desist letters, the Council ordered Bovada to allow all Tennessee users to withdraw any funds currently held by the unlicensed sportsbook.

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“The Sports Wagering Council recommends that Tennessee users of Bovada withdraw their funds immediately. Our primary role is the protection of the public interest through a safe, regulated environment, and Tennessee sports bettors need to know that just because they can access a sports betting website or app inside Tennessee’s borders does not mean it is licensed to do business here,” Mary Beth Thomas, Executive Director of Tennessee Sports Wagering Council, said.

Legal sportsbook operators provide important bettor protections not found in the illegal market. If an individual wagers with unlicensed sportsbooks, their sensitive financial and personal information may not be protected and could even be shared with criminal enterprises. The bettor’s money could be withheld or disappear without a way to recover it.

The SWC is working closely with its network of law enforcement at the state and federal level to eradicate illegal sportsbooks such as Bovada and others.

Tennessee is the largest “online-only” sports betting market in the US, with more than $4.7 billion wagered in Tennessee last fiscal year through online sportsbooks licensed by the Council.

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Gambling in the USA

Phoenix Link by Aristocrat Gaming Now Lighting Up Casino Floors

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The hottest new game from Aristocrat Gaming, Phoenix Link, is now live on casino floors, with Yaamava’ Resort & Casino being the first in North America to offer the highly-anticipated game. As the next evolution of the international hit game, Dragon Link, Phoenix Link features player-favorite mechanics from top games with all-new themes, features, and bonuses.

“We have been humbled by the incredible global fanfare Dragon Link has received over the years but are never ones to rest on our laurels. The teams have been working tirelessly on a follow-up that brings together all the player-favorite elements in a new and exciting way with Phoenix Link as the proud result. We were thrilled to partner with Yaamava’ to premiere Phoenix Link with flair, excitement, and celebration,” said Victor Duarte, executive vice president of product for Aristocrat Gaming.

Phoenix Link players will enjoy the game’s additional denominations, configurations, and jackpots on each of the launch game theme titles. Gameplay features include Hold & Spin, Free Games with multiplier wilds or twin spin reels, Phoenix Mystery trigger, and more new bonus twists. Phoenix Link is available on the Neptune Single cabinet.

“Yaamava’ is thrilled to host yet another world premiere in gaming with the launch of Phoenix Link by Aristocrat Gaming. Our Club Serrano members are already raving about this captivating extension of the player-favorite Dragon Link. It’s a great addition to the Yaamava’ gaming floor,” said Kenji Hall, General Manager of Yaamava’ Resort & Casino at San Manuel, said.

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Latest News

Panel on the benefits of regulation in the Mexican iGaming market

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On November 6, the iGaming industry in Mexico is preparing for a key event in which the benefits and challenges that regulation has brought to the Mexican market will be discussed. Under the title “Benefits of Regulation in the Mexican Market”, this panel will offer an in-depth look at the impact of regulation on transparency, competition and consumer protection, critical issues in the new digital era of iGaming.

The event, moderated by Geraldine Alexandra García Torres, Media Manager of Digital Gaming News, will feature the participation of recognized figures in the sector such as Daniel Magariños, representative of BMM Testlabs, and Hermilo Peregrina Cabrera of Prometeo IT Solutions. Both panelists will contribute their extensive knowledge and experience in regulation and certification in the Mexican market, and will analyze with the public the challenges and opportunities that companies face in an increasingly competitive and regulated context.

BMM Testlabs, who will participate as a Gold Sponsor, underlines with its sponsorship the importance of regulation to strengthen the iGaming sector in Mexico and demonstrates its commitment to progress and transparency in the Mexican market. For its part, Kushki joins as a Silver Sponsor, promoting the dialogue and analysis necessary for the industry.

Daniel Magariños, from BMM Testlabs, expressed his enthusiasm for participating in this digital webinar: “It has been a pleasure to be able to share our comments as a Laboratory on a market like the Mexican one and exchange opinions with a reference like Hermilo and the company Prometeo IT Solutions, with its excellent track record in this market. A relaxed talk with a lot of learning that I hope will be interesting for the attendees.”

For his part, Hermilo Peregrina, from Prometeo IT Solutions, highlighted the relevance of these spaces for dialogue: “Thank you to Conferencias iGaming for the invitation to participate in this panel. Thanks to Geraldine for coordinating us, and it was a pleasure to share ideas and opinions with my friend Daniel from BMM Testlabs, who has extensive experience in international regulations and certifications.”

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Sponsor Support

The panel has the support of important sponsors who recognize the relevance of regulation in the development of the iGaming market in Mexico. Among them, BMM Testlabs as Gold Sponsor, and Kushki as Silver Sponsor.

Event Details:

Date: November 6

Time: 10:00 a.m. (Mexico)

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Registration: Register here

Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of this essential conversation for the future of the industry. Secure your place and access a key analysis on the dynamic iGaming market in Mexico!

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