Florida Prepares to Appoint Kindbridge as Operator for State Gambling Hotline Service
In a revealing turn of events, it appears that Florida is set to shake things up with its gambling helpline, according to a report by Fox 29. Over the past week, the Florida Gaming Control Commission (FGCC) published documents on their website, indicating a potential new operator for the helpline.
Who's the new operator for Florida's gambling hotline?
According to the findings by Fox 29, the Kindbridge Research Institute will take charge of the toll-free helpline. Established as a nonprofit organization, Kindbridge Research Institute specializes in designing innovative solutions for addictive behaviors and disorders, while also pushing the boundaries of research in the field.
The new helpline operator will extend its services to offer training for employees working at venues with slot machines. This training aims to help identify signs of addiction early on, intervene when necessary, and support those displaying symptoms of gambling-related issues.
Previously, the Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling had managed the helpline, but discussions regarding the specifics of renewing the contract post its 2024 expiration date seemed to have come to a halt.
Jennifer Kruse, the Executive Director of the Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling, attributed the decision to withdraw from the helpline to financial constraints and the regulator's lack of willingness to negotiate the renewal contract, given the organization's understaffing and limited resources.
"We have less staff. We aren't able to fill vacant positions. We aren't able to provide hard copy literature because we don't have the budget to reproduce some of that stuff," Kruse explained.
While Kindbridge Research Institute focuses on furthering research and providing consultative services, its sister organization, Kindbridge Behavioral Health, focuses on delivering clinical services and applying cutting-edge research to addiction and problem gambling treatment programs.
Disagreements between Florida's gambling regulator and outgoing operator
Citing information from Casino Reports, Ross Marshman, the Acting Executive Director of the FGCC, was said to have presented a renewed contract offer to the Council, which was declined. This, in turn, led to the contract lapsing on July 1, 2024.
However, the Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling disputes this claim, asserting that they had in fact declined the contract offer. A lawyer representing the Council wrote to lawmakers who had heard Marshman testify to the House State Administration Budget Subcommittee, explaining that the organization was offered a "take-it-or-leave-it" deal without the chance to negotiate an acceptable renewal contract.
The disagreement reportedly involved a new set of operational reporting conditions that the FGCC wanted the Council to adhere to. According to Kruse, the conditions were overly onerous, given the small size of the Council's staff and the resources at their disposal.
In summary, it seems that financial constraints, staffing issues, and disagreements over operational requirements are at the root of the spat between the Florida Gaming Control Commission and the Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling.
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- The Kindbridge Research Institute has been appointed as the new operator of Florida's gambling helpline, starting from an undisclosed date.
- On Wednesday, it was announced that Kindbridge Research Institute will provide training for employees at venues with slot machines, focusing on early detection of addiction and potential interventions.
- The Florida Gaming Control Commission and the Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling are embroiled in a dispute, with the issue revolving around renewing the requirements for the helpline operation.
