Gambling Addiction Not Budgeted For
30 Mar 2006
Pennsylvania law has allocated $1.5 million towards treating addictive gambling problems. Some say that this amount is peanuts in comparison to the profits made by the slot machines and that more should be earmarked to fight problem gambling.
The Pennsylvania slots law has alloted $1.5 million annually in slots revenues for programs to treat gambling addicts. This may sound like a lot of money but when one takes into account the gambling revenue source that will bring the state $1 billion in revenues annually, it is nothing. The potential of problem gambling will grow with the regulation of slot machines in Pennsylvania and the state's allowance for the treatment of this problem is way from adequate.
With the new gambling laws, there are to be about 60,000 new slot machines scattered around Pennsylvania within 14 slot casinos. Someone who has a potential gambling problem will find plenty of opportunity to gamble away at a wide selection of venues. The lawmakers should compare their budget allocated to fight gambling problems with others states who have recently legalized this form of gambling. The gambling bill is set to be a very debated one in the coming months, and it is opinioned that at least $4 million should be set aside in order to adequately fight and control the problem of addictive gambling.
The state should compare itself to New Jersey which recently marked the Gambling Problem Awareness Week. New Jersey has a program that allows people with gambling problems to make a public declaration that they want nothing to do with casinos and the promotional offers that come to their homes. The authorities need to act responsibly before passing this bill - along with the benefits also come the problems and they need to be prepared for them.
$200
