Best Gambling Charity Tie-Ups US - Responsible Play

19 September 2026

MGM Resorts International and BetMGM have announced a joint $320,000 contribution to responsible gaming initiatives as part of Responsible Gaming Education Month (RGEM) 2026. The companies are funding research through the International Center for Responsible Gaming (ICRG) and expanding sponsorships for state problem gambling councils, including support for the 1-800-GAMBLER helpline.

The ICRG is receiving research funding across a variety of areas, including sports wagering and player behavior. Meanwhile, the expanded sponsorships for state problem gambling councils will include more than $150,000 for organizations focused on problem gambling prevention, treatment, and responsible gaming measures.

Collaboration and Community Engagement

Employee Training

MGM Resorts and BetMGM said they will continue providing research-based responsible gaming training for all employees. They will also collaborate with the Nevada Council on Problem Gambling to host educational booths at Las Vegas properties throughout September.

The partnership with EPIC Global Solutions will continue, as BetMGM offers employees lived-experience sessions on the human impact of problem gambling. These sessions give employees a deeper understanding of gambling addiction and its effects, helping them to better assist customers.

Broader Industry Pattern

This is all part of a broader industry trend, as gambling operators increasingly look to measurable actions to tackle responsible gaming and gambling-related harm. While operators have traditionally funded gambling addiction charities and helplines, donations now come with expanded efforts in research, employee training, and treatment resources.

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For example, gambling sector funding for GambleAware reached £10.6 million between April and September 2021, as firms contributed to support the charity’s work to prevent gambling harms. Similarly, Clarion Gaming named the International Center for Responsible Gaming as its charity partner in recent years, and Playtech has embarked on prevention research in the US.

Support for research, training, and customer services reflects the realization that effective harm minimization requires dedicated professional resources and expertise, beyond purely charitable acts. Partnerships with organizations like Kindbridge, Beacon Counselling, and Motiv8 Addiction Services provide gambling operators with credible voices and relationships to advance their responsible gaming efforts.

Regional Variations, Global Trend

Gambling industry support for responsible gaming is a global phenomenon, with regional variations in how operators engage with local organizations. Sands China recently donated MOP 1 million to five local NGOs in Macao, as part of nearly MOP 10 million in responsible gaming contributions dating back to 2006. Meanwhile, Hard Rock International and Seminole Gaming are expanding their PlayersEdge program with new awareness campaigns, digital health tools, and research partnerships.

These regional efforts mirror similar support in the UK and US, as harm minimization charities and industry operators align on monitoring and advocacy for problem gamblers. Measurable spending on research, while working with experts and establishing research partnerships with institutions, gives firms more credibility when discussing responsible gaming policies.

Conclusion: Promoting Responsible Gaming

The momentum suggests that responsible gaming initiatives are becoming more systematic and measurable, as gambling operators contribute to research, employee training, treatment resources, and harm prevention partnerships. This shift reflects a growing awareness that effective harm minimization requires dedicated resources, expertise, and ongoing commitment from industry stakeholders. Sustainable funding for research and treatment, combined with targeted educational resources and partnerships with credible organizations, can make a measurable impact on gambling-related harms.