The gambling regulator in Colorado approved grants worth US$908,089 for projects addressing problem gambling at it latest meeting in April.

The Colorado Limited Gaming Control Commission said the Responsible Gaming Grant awards were given to the Kindbridge Research Institute and the Colorado Division of Gaming.

The regulator says the grants are aimed at combating online sports wagering harassment of athletes, support for problem gambling for veterans and funding play legal public education campaigns.

Kindbridge’s approved grants include a Colorado Athlete Wellbeing Program offering education and a mental health assessment, forming part of the “pathway to treatment”. A dedicated app and specialised support are also included. Kindbridge is to also offer a Colorado Military Problem Gaming Research, Education and Recovery Program.

The Colorado Division of Gaming, meanwhile, will set up a Play Legal, Play Responsible, Play Safe marketing campaign with its grant.

Commission chair, Richard Nathan, said both rounds of funding account for almost $2.5m to “support communities affected by unintended, but nonetheless damaging consequences of gaming, including the small percentage of vulnerable populations affected by problem gambling and college athletes who are bullied as a result of online sports wagers.”