- The official problem gambling hotline of Florida was found to have been transferring funds between the nonprofit organization and a related for-profit organization.
- Kindbridge Research Institute became the sponsor of the official hotline for problem gambling in Florida in 2025.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – New findings show that Florida’s nonprofit gambling hotline has been funding a for-profit company.
Documents show that the new nonprofit organization responsible for the hotline, Kindbridge Research Institute, signed a subcontractor agreement with its sister company, Kindbridge Behavioral Health, which are both run by Daniel Umfleet, founder and CEO.
Kindbridge became the primary hotline for problem gambling related to sports betting in Florida last year.
Multiple invoices were found to have requested funds to and from Kindbridge Research Institute, which is meant to function as a nonprofit hotline for problem gambling.
It seems that the idea behind the scheme is for the nonprofit problem gambling hotline to refer callers to Kindbridge Behavioral Health as a way to increase profits while simultaneously funneling funds back and forth.
This has raised concern for some, including Jennifer Kruse, the executive director for the Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling, a separate hotline that operates without state funds.
She calls it a “great business model” for the Kindbridge companies, but disregards the actual needs of the people calling the hotline in favor of profits.
With the legalization and rising popularity of sports betting sites, problem gambling hotlines are now as important as ever.
The company and the Florida Gaming Control Commission both declined to comment.
