Disordered Gambling Initiatives On the Agenda Nationwide

In several states with commercial casinos, legislatures are considering new proposals focused on disordered gambling. The measures address various issues, including funding, treatment standards and self-exclusion. The following is a status report on the legislative and other initiatives under consideration in each state.

COLORADO

The Problem Gambling Coalition of Colorado is finalizing a grant petition with the Local Government Limited Gaming Impact Fund on behalf of a Colorado county (to be determined later). The grant money would subsidize a pilot program providing assistance to disordered gamblers unable to afford private counseling and training for problem gambling treatment certification. The Local Government Limited Gaming Impact Fund, which receives a percentage of state gaming revenue, awards grants to local governments best demonstrating how gaming funds have impacted the area - for example, through improvements to infrastructure.

ILLINOIS

Identical bills have been introduced in the Senate and the House to allocate funds for first-time compulsive gamblers. The legislation would earmark the first $500,000 in penalties and fees collected by the state from casinos - currently set aside for education - for a compulsive gambling treatment fund managed by the Department of Human Services. In addition, the Illinois Casino Gaming Association has recommended increasing the annual license renewal fee for riverboat casinos from $5,000 to $50,000. The extra $45,000 from the renewal fee increase would be deposited into the treatment fund.

INDIANA

The legislature is considering a program that would allow patrons to disassociate from Indiana riverboat casinos. If passed, the Indiana Gaming Commission, Indiana Council on Problem Gambling and Casino Association of Indiana would work together to develop a self-exclusion program.

IOWA

In recent years, the Iowa legislature has been redirecting a portion of the funding originally earmarked to help problem gamblers through the Iowa Gambling Treatment Program (IGTP) to subsidize substance-abuse treatment programs in the state. The Iowa Gaming Association is working to restore full funding for the IGTP.

LOUISIANA

Last year, the Louisiana legislature passed the most comprehensive legislation in state history to address disordered gambling. The law calls for Louisiana casinos to provide assistance and resources to people with a gambling problem. It is unlikely that any additional measures will be considered this session, except for similar legislation that would apply to the video poker industry.

MISSOURI

A bill has been introduced that would initiate a study of the social impact of gaming in the state. The legislation, which would authorize $200,000 for the study, calls for an examination of existing policies governing the prevention and treatment of gambling disorders to determine if changes to the policies are necessary.

NEVADA

Legislation has been introduced addressing treatment, funding and youth prevention concerns associated with problem gambling. The bill would set aside $250,000 for problem gambling treatment, establish statewide disordered gambling counseling certification standards and require the state board of education to develop a curriculum for school-age children aimed at problem gambling prevention. Similar legislation that does not include certification and education requirements also has been introduced in the legislature.

NEW YORK

The New York State Racing and Wagering Board passed an emergency rule in February to implement the many requirements of legislation that was scheduled to take effect last month. The legislation, signed into law last summer by Gov. George Pataki, called for New York gaming operators, including the state itself, to implement policies that will raise awareness of disordered gambling and promote responsible gaming by customers.

Specifically, the law prohibits "the direct extension of credit for any wager." It also requires racing and lottery Internet sites to post information designed to aid compulsive gamblers and establishes a procedure allowing any person to voluntarily exclude themselves from entering racetracks, simulcast theaters, and off-track betting parlors. Additionally, the law requires implementation of a program that will allow any person with a telephone wagering account to voluntarily place limits on the amount of their wagers on a daily or weekly basis.

Most states, including Louisiana, Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada and New Jersey, have similar laws in place. The various legislative and regulatory approaches to address disordered gambling (in commercial casino states only) have been organized by state and subject into a reference book, Statutes and Regulations in Commercial Casino States Concerning Responsible Gaming. An update to the March 2002 edition is currently under way and is expected to be completed this spring. For more information about the booklet or to reserve a copy of the 2003 edition, call the American Gaming Association (AGA) at 202-637-6500. Once it is completed, the new edition also will be available for purchase on the AGA Web site.