Problem Gambling News January 2025

January 7, 2025 | By Kindbridge

Kindbridge is on the frontlines of the problem gambling crisis as America’s foremost support platform for those struggling with the compulsion. But in serving in this capacity, we have also been recognized by the media as a trusted resource to provide insights on features that they’re running on the matter. It just so happens that two of the top stories to launch 2025 include media releases that draw upon commentary from Kindbridge, both of which we expand upon in our own monthly report. Let’s review.

January 2025 News Regarding Problem Gambling that America Needs to Know About

Player Protections Top New Year Predictions in Gambling Market

January is a month where predictions come out for a wide variety of industries, casino gaming and sports betting included. One of gambling industry’s top news, commentary, and analysis resources, CDC Gaming, released their annual year-end summary and forecasts for the annum ahead (here). A primary theme among predictions is an increased focus on player protections.

Kindbridge Behavioral Health’s own Daniel Umfleet led the discussion:

“In 2025, I believe the focus will shift to player protection amid the continued growth of online casino and sports betting. A critical development will be the adoption of advanced technology, such as AI, to detect problematic gambling behaviors early and offer intervention strategies.”

Meanwhile, executive director of Responsible Online Gaming Association, Jennifer Shatley, stated:

“In 2025, we will see unmatched levels of collective action and collaboration around responsible gaming from operators and the broader online industry. As the online gaming space expands rapidly, operators are taking the lead around advancing responsible gaming practices”

These predictions are extensions of what the industry had seen in 2024. For instance, operators including BetMGM (view details), DraftKings (view), and FanDuel (view) all collaborated with Kindbridge to provide mental/behavioral health support for players who opted into self-exclusion. These operators all went beyond what was required by regulatory bodies. Programs of this nature are expected to grow in 2025 as other operators will be motivated to come on board. Doing so will not just be seen as an ethical duty, but a strategic one that will gain operators a competitive advantage over those who don’t take initiative, through positive PR.

Gaming Skins Exposed as Type of Gambling

Over the last couple of years we have reported on how certain aspects of the video game industry are beginning to resemble gambling. This is problematic when considering the entry level age of its user base. As we enter 2025, this topic has gained ground as major media outlets have taken notice of one trending feature in gaming that is causing a commotion. The feature is referred to as skins, which are virtual items within a game that can be obtained by players to modify aesthetics of their avatars and gaming experience. Skins are bought, sold, traded, and thanks to the recent development of affiliated offshore digital platforms, are now gambled with too.

Barron’s, a trusted news resource at the forefront of financial market commentary, recently ran a piece on how gambling with skins has become problematic among young gamers who are vulnerable to the harms associated gambling behavior. They tapped into the expertise of Kindbridge’s Chief Clinical Officer, Michelle Hatfield, for commentary:

“Michelle Hatfield, chief clinical officer at Kindbridge Behavioral Health, says that sense of shame and the stigma associated with gambling is ‘what prevents most of the people who have gambling or gaming challenges to come into treatment.’ And minors, whose need for treatment is most acute, are the least likely to seek it. Hatfield asks, ‘How many kids do you know of at 16 who seek help for anything?'”

Following the Barron’s article, was a further reaching series of exposés by YouTuber Coffeezilla. The channel’s Stephen Findeisen ran back-to-back (to-back) episodes that pulled the curtain back on how unregulated gambling platforms are promoting gambling behavior among young and vulnerable gamers through skins. Kindbridge provided a succinct breakdown of Findeisen’s primary feature which readers can reference right here. Speaking of predictions (as per the section above) perhaps gamers will see better regulatory protections and support investments coming their way as well.

Stay tuned for more as stories develop.