A Change in Florida's Gambling Helpline Operator: The Story Unfolds
Florida Plans to Appoint Kindbridge as the Operator for State Gambling Helpline
Looks like Florida is switching up its provider for the gambling hotline, with the Florida Gaming Control Commission (FGCC) announcing the shift on their website.
A New Operator for Florida's Helpline Emerges
Digging into the documents, we discovered that the Kindbridge Research Institute, a nonprofit dedicated to tackling addictive behaviors and advancing research in the field, will take over the toll-free hotline.
The new operative is also set to deliver training services to staff at venues with slot machines, helping them detect signs of addiction. Their mission is to intervene promptly in cases where consumers exhibit obvious signs of problem gambling.
The helpline was previously run by the Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling, but negotiations for a renewed contract beyond 2024 seemed to hit a roadblock.
The Florida Council's Executive Director, Jennifer Kruse, cited financial reasons and the regulator's reluctance to negotiate as the cause for the nonprofit's departure, stating they were insufficiently staffed and underfunded.
"We have less personnel. We can't fill vacant positions. We can't distribute hard copy literature due to budget constraints," Kruse commented, as reported by Fox 29.
While Kindbridge Research Institute primarily focuses on research and advisory services, Kindbridge Behavioral Health is responsible for delivering clinical services and applying novel research on addiction and gambling problems to treatment programs.
Disagreement over Renewal Contract Details
According to a report by Casino Reports, Ross Marshman, Acting Executive Director of the FGCC, did propose a renewed contract to the Council, but it was declined, leading to the contract lapse on July 1, 2024.
However, the Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling contested this account, stating they had turned down the offer due to unfavorable contract terms. A lawyer on behalf of the Council wrote to lawmakers, explaining that they were presented with a "take-it-or-leave-it" deal, with no room for negotiation of an acceptable renewal contract.
The issue revolved around the Council's reporting requirements, with Kruse asserting that the new demands would have been unattainable due to the small staff and onerous nature of the conditions.
Image credit: Unsplash.com
Enrichment Data:Based on the available materials, there seems to have been a disagreement between the Florida Gaming Control Commission and the Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling regarding the renewal terms for the gambling helpline contract. The Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling alleges they were presented with a non-negotiable offer, while the Florida Gaming Control Commission claims the offer was declined. The crux of the disagreement appears to be the reporting requirements set by the Florida Gaming Control Commission, which the Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling found to be unrealistic given their current staffing levels. For up-to-date information, seeking official statements or inquiries to the relevant agencies would be recommended.
- The Kindbridge Research Institute, a nonprofit focused on addictive behaviors and research, will take over the Florida gambling helpline, as the Florida Gaming Control Commission (FGCC) has announced a change in operators.
- The new operators will not only manage the helpline but also provide training to staff at venues with slot machines to help them detect problem gambling.
- The previous operator, the Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling, could not renew the contract beyond 2024 due to financial difficulties and unfavorable contract terms, specifically the onerous reporting requirements proposed by the FGCC.
- On Wednesday, there were disagreements reported about the renewal contract details, with the Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling claiming they were presented with a non-negotiable offer and the FGCC stating that the offer was declined.
- As gambling trends continue to rise, it remains crucial for Florida to have an effective helpline and support system in place to address issues related to problem gambling.
