Three States Pass Legislation to Fund New Initiatives
Within recent months, several states have proactively developed funding streams for pathological gambling treatment and prevention programs. At the same time, many states are working together to set up new programs and help more established programs overcome challenges. State health agencies are visiting other states' facilities, cross-training staff, and meeting regularly to keep communication lines open.
The state legislature in Nevada unanimously approved a measure creating a $2.5 million fund to assist problem gamblers in the state, the first time state money has been directed to the issue. At press time, the bill had been sent to Governor Kenny Guinn for approval. The industry-supported bill would establish the problem gambling fund by taking $1 of the existing tax on every slot machine in the state in the first year and $2 in the second year, establishing a funding pool for grants and programs. The bill also would establish a problem gambling advisory committee in the state Department of Human Resources.
In Pennsylvania, legislation legalizing slot machines in the state includes the state's first ever funding for problem gaming programs. Assuming the courts approve the measure, it will annually provide the greater of $1.5 million or 0.001 percent of gross gaming revenue to support the creation of programs to be managed by the Pennsylvania Department of Health. According to Bill Noonan, public health program assistant administrator at the Penn. Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Programs, the funding primarily will be used to support treatment facilities, but also will create a 24-hour hotline for intervention and referrals and develop public awareness programs. Noonan indicated neighboring state Delaware has been helpful in laying a solid foundation for effective pathological gambling treatment programs.
Washington state Governor Christine Gregoire recently signed a bill that in 2006 will establish a new tax of 0.01 percent on operators of social card games, bingo, raffles, punchboard games and pulltabs, as well as direct funding from state lottery revenue to create $1.5 million over the next two years in support of public treatment programs, the first multi-year funding available within the state. Additionally, local tribes have promised another $554,000 to support statewide responsible gaming efforts. Funding will support prevention, treatment and training efforts. According to Doug Allen, office chief of the Division on Alcohol and Substance Abuse (DASA) at the Department of Social and Health Services, DASA has had regular discourse with other states about program development and has received valuable training assistance from Missouri.
