Gaming News

Treatment Fund Bolstered

ALBUQUERQUE -- Two Albuquerque-area Indian pueblos have given $71,500 to bolster a statewide fund for gambling addiction treatment that had dwindled.

But the boost from Isleta and Sandia pueblos may not last long, given more than twice that amount was spent from the fund last year to pay for treatment of dozens of gamblers.

Jeff Jojola, an Isleta's responsible gaming coordinator, said his pueblo and the Responsible Gaming Association of New Mexico will both be providing more money for the fund. The association comprises 10 of the state's 13 casino-operating tribes.

Tribes under the 2001 gaming compacts with the state are required to set aside a fraction of slot machine net profits for programs that treat compulsive gambling. The state's four nontribal horse track-casino operations must do the same.

The fund dwindled to less than $29,000 in early December. Isleta then pitched in $21,500 and Sandia added another $50,000 to bolster the fund, according to records.

Without the help, council executive director Kandace Blanchard said the council would have had to resort to looking for counselors willing to work for free.

Copyright © Las Vegas Sun. Inc. Republished with permission.

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