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Elimination of Massachusetts' Compulsive Gambling Council Criticized31 March 2003MASSACHUSETTS – As reported by the Boston Herald: "Gov. Mitt Romney wants to eliminate the 20-year-old state council on compulsive gambling, a move critics call unconscionable in light of the push for expanded gambling. "Lawmakers begin hearings today on everything from legalizing office betting pools on the NCAA basketball tournament to bringing casino gambling to Massachusetts. "They'll also consider changes to the state Lottery aimed at getting more people to fork over their money to play. "…`It's totally irresponsible for the state not to provide some kind of safety net for (problem gamblers),' said Sen. Susan Tucker (D-Andover), a leading opponent of expansion. `People are going to be looking up at that Keno screen and seeing a phone number for help with their gambling problem and when they call, there will be no answer on the other line.' "The Massachusetts Council on Compulsive Gambling began the fiscal year with a $1 million budget and four staff members who provide training and educational programs on gambling. "The council also runs a hotline for problem gamblers that doubles as a referral system for treatment. "…Former acting Gov. Jane M. Swift whacked $345,000 from the gambling treatment budget last fall. Romney's budget plan for the new fiscal year that begins July 1 would eliminate it outright. "…The council's budget has always come from unclaimed Lottery winnings. And Lottery officials have been supporters of the program as a way of offsetting some of the negative effects of their games…" |