MGM Resorts and BetMGM are committing $320,000 to responsible gaming initiatives as part of Responsible Gaming Education Month in September. The funding will support research, problem gambling organizations, and other player protections. It’s an increase from the $250,000 that was contributed last year at this time.
The move positions BetMGM as one of the industry leaders in responsible gaming, which has become even more important with problem gambling becoming more of an issue.
The commitment will be spread across several responsible gaming efforts rather than going to a single program. MGM Resorts and BetMGM are directing funding toward organizations involved in gambling research, support services, and consumer education, including the International Center for Responsible Gaming and several state problem gambling councils. The funding will also support the 1-800-GAMBLER helpline and the Evive Foundation.
The $320,000 commitment is $70,000 more than the $250,000 research contribution announced last year, with this year’s funding covering a broader range of responsible gaming initiatives.
The companies are also continuing to expand their GameSense program. More than 3,000 employees have now been certified through the GameSense Advisor program, while responsible gaming messaging will expand to T-Mobile Arena and Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas. GameSense will also continue to appear at several NFL stadiums and MLB ballparks.
MGM Resorts is also partnering with Carleton University on a study involving casino employees. BetMGM plans to send users targeted emails promoting GameSense and responsible play, while sportsbook messaging will also remind users about the option to take a time-out.
The latest funding is part of a broader responsible gaming push from MGM Resorts and BetMGM in 2026. Earlier this year, the companies announced more than $1 million in responsible gaming initiatives tied to Problem Gambling Awareness Month in March.
That commitment included $450,000 for the International Center for Responsible Gaming to study sports betting and its impact on player behavior. The three-year research project is examining areas such as betting decisions and risk patterns among different demographics.
The additional September funding extends these efforts as the companies continue to make responsible gaming a year-round focus rather than limiting campaigns to individual awareness months.
Responsible gaming has become an increasingly important part of the sports betting industry as it has expanded across the U.S., and problem gambling has become more of an issue.
For MGM Resorts and BetMGM, continued investment in research, education, and support services shows an effort to address those concerns. Funding independent research can also help the industry have a better understanding of risky betting behavior and determine which interventions are most effective.
The focus on employee training, customer messaging, and problem gambling resources shows how BetMGM is taking a proactive approach to responsible gaming.
