MGM Resorts, BetMGM pledge $1M for responsible gaming
MGM Resorts International and BetMGM have committed more than $1 million to responsible gaming initiatives during Problem Gambling Awareness Month, including $450,000 for independent research into sports wagering behaviour.
According to the announcement from the two companies, the funding will be channelled to the International Center for Responsible Gaming in the U.S. to support a new multi-year study examining decision-making, risk patterns and behavioural trends across different populations.
The pledge comes as the U.S. sports betting market enters a new growth phase. An exclusive SiGMA News report, citing the Sports Betting Market – Global Forecast 2026–2032 study, projects that the market will rise from $91.97 billion in 2025 to $205.64 billion by 2032. In-play wagering, virtual sports and mobile betting are expected to drive much of that expansion, with a compound annual growth rate of 12.18 percent.
Stephen Martino, Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer at MGM Resorts, said the research investment reflects the scale of change. “As sports betting continues to grow, so must our understanding of its impact on our guests and customers,” he said. “Investing in high-quality research allows us to be guided by valuable data and insights, which will ultimately help us support our patrons, communities and industry.”
Responsible gaming under regulatory pressure
Regulatory requirements across U.S. states continue to evolve. Gaming operators face diverging compliance rules in various jurisdictions, rising monitoring costs, and stricter consumer protection mandates, particularly with in-play betting and digital engagement.
“Problem Gambling Awareness Month is an important reminder of our year-round responsibility to assist and empower our players,” Rhea Loney, Chief Compliance Officer at BetMGM, said. “We prioritise player protection by investing in education, tools, collaboration, and meaningful support resources. Our commitment remains clear: to help every player make informed decisions and enjoy our products safely.”
For years now, the gaming industry has embedded tools such as self-exclusion systems, real-time behavioural monitoring, and deposit limits into platform design. As fast-cycle content and 24/7 betting formats gain traction, oversight has become more closely tied to technology infrastructure.
State partnerships and community funding
In addition to research funding, MGM Resorts and BetMGM said they will contribute more than $850,000 in 2026 to state and national organisations focused on prevention and treatment.
MGM Resorts will continue sponsoring the annual conference hosted by the Nevada Council on Problem Gambling and integrating council leaders into internal training sessions. Both brands also remain aligned with the American Gaming Association through the Have A Game Plan. Bet Responsibly. campaign.
GameSense expansion across retail and digital
Responsible gaming messaging will be expanded nationwide through the GameSense programme, developed by the British Columbia Lottery Corporation. The companies said more than 2,000 team members have completed GameSense Advisor training.
Messaging will appear across casino floors, sportsbooks, digital channels and the BetMGM app, encouraging players to “take a time-out” and “set a budget”. A customer email campaign and an MGM Rewards survey will also measure awareness of safer gambling tools.
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