Kindbridge and Axis Partner to Enhance Gambling Addiction Treatment in Colorado
New Partnership to Address Gambling Addiction in Colorado
Kindbridge Behavioral Health, a Denver-based provider specializing in problem gambling support, has announced a collaboration with Axis Integrated Mental Health, a prominent mental health clinic in Colorado. This alliance aims to broaden the availability of resources and treatment options for individuals affected by gambling addiction throughout the state.
Establishing a Clear Support System for Those in Need
The collaboration promises to offer a streamlined route for people struggling with gambling problems and their families to access effective therapy. Beyond traditional counseling, the partnership includes advanced psychiatric treatments such as Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (Deep TMS) and Spravato for cases where standard therapy might not be enough.
Since Colorado introduced legal sports betting in 2020, participation has sharply increased, with the annual betting volume now reaching approximately $6.3 million—nearly triple the initial amount. While this growth reflects a heightened interest in gambling, it also indicates that some individuals may be at risk of gambling-related harm due to increased spending.
The rise in mobile betting accessibility has enabled gambling anytime and anywhere, contributing to potential increases in harmful behaviors. Recent studies estimate that about 5% of gamblers in Colorado face risks associated with problematic gambling, emphasizing the need for enhanced access to responsible gambling practices and treatment services.
Enhancing Treatment with Advanced Therapies
While Colorado has invested significantly in gambling prevention and education efforts, many mental health providers still lack specialized tools and training to address gambling addiction and its related mental health challenges, including depression, ADHD, PTSD, and trauma.
The partnership between Kindbridge and Axis Integrated Mental Health is designed to fill this gap by bringing together Kindbridge’s expertise in problem gambling and Axis’s advanced psychiatric care capabilities. Treatments such as Deep TMS offer a non-invasive, drug-free approach to improving impulse control, whereas Spravato, an FDA-approved esketamine nasal spray, is used to treat severe depression—a common co-occurring condition with gambling addiction.
Addressing Misconceptions About Problem Gambling
Daniel Umfleet, CEO of Kindbridge, emphasized the importance of confronting the widespread misunderstandings surrounding gambling disorder. He expressed hope that the new collaboration will provide much-needed assistance to many individuals coping with gambling-related issues in Colorado.
“Gambling disorder is one of the most misunderstood behavioral health conditions, but it is highly treatable with the right care. This partnership makes it easier for Colorado families to take action quickly and access specialized treatment that matches the true complexity of the problem.”
Daniel Umfleet, CEO of Kindbridge
Liesl Perez, co-founder of Axis Integrated Mental Health, also welcomed the partnership, highlighting its role in offering a clear starting point for compulsive gamblers seeking help.
“This partnership makes it easier for people to start care easily with specialized therapy, then access cutting-edge treatments that can deliver better results than just medication or therapy alone.”
Liesl Perez, co-founder of Axis Integrated Mental Health
Meanwhile, individuals across Colorado can access Kindbridge’s gambling addiction therapy services through telehealth, ensuring statewide availability and convenience for those seeking support.
