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California lawmakers surprised by problem gambling report

SACRAMENTO, California – As reported by the Daily Democrat: " Legal gambling operations make $13 billion a year from California's booming gaming industry but do little to aid the hundreds of thousands whose lives it ruins or ease damage to society, lawmakers said Tuesday.

"A Senate committee, which intends to swiftly tackle the problem, was surprised at some findings during a nearly four-hour informational hearing:

"A government Web site for the state's estimated 1.5 million problem gamblers included a link to a private firm that offers gaming. Officials promised to comply with lawmakers' request to remove the link.

"Some $3 million donated by Indian casinos years ago to address problem gambling was given back when it went unused by the state.

"Much of the state's efforts center around a hotline number - 1-800-GAMBLER - that does not necessarily lead to true help.

"…Lawmakers said that in general they found an underfunded, inadequate effort by the state, which has set up the tiny state Office of Problem Gambling and four other small gambling-related agencies.

"Steve Hedrick, director of the Office of Problem Gambling, said his agency released an 18-page statewide plan this month but said he was uncertain what it would cost to implement it…"

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