Gambling News by Gambling Headquarters

Nevada lawmakers will be asked to continue fees imposed for the first time in 2005 on slot machines to fund programs to help problem gamblers in this wide-open gambling state. The fee, approved by the 2005 Legislature, started out at $1 per slot machine and then rose to $2. That has brought in $2.5 million for problem gambling programs in the current two-year budget cycle. Laura Hale, a state Health and Human Services grants manager who helps to staff the state's Advisory Committee on Problem Gambling, said Thursday that continuing the $2 fee during the coming two fiscal years will mean another $3.2 million for the fledgling program. "We have made excellent progress in the first two years," said Hale, adding that it's essential to help people whose gambling addictions could lead to "devastating" problems such as family breakups, loss of jobs and even criminal activity. "The best thing about this is that people who had no access to treatment before now have that access," said Hale. "And the long-range program potential is to do more prevention programs." "Two years ago, it was a first," Hale said. "Many other states have been funding these programs for years, so it's really good that Nevada has finally gotten into this." Gov. Jim Gibbons has supported the fee in the spending plan he has submitted to the 2007 Legislature. When the fee plan passed in 2005 - with heavy casino industry support - it had a "sunset" clause which requires the 2007 Legislature to take action to keep it going. A report on use of the fees so far shows that more than half the money was used for treatment programs while the rest was used for prevention efforts, research and related services. More than 500 people got treatment for gambling problems while more counselors got financial assistance to become certified in gambling counseling. The total of such counselors now stands at 14, and Hale said another 50 to 60 counselors could get through the training in the coming two years. Statistics included in the report show that nearly 20 percent of those getting treatment range in age from 25 to 34, and 22 percent range in age from 45 to 54. Also, there's a 54-46 ratio of men to women who went through treatment. The report also shows that nearly a quarter of those getting treatment make less than $10,000 yearly while another quarter are in the $35,000-$75,000 income range. The document also shows that about a third of those getting treatment are married, while nearly a third are separated or divorced.