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Pennsylvania Lawmakers Study Program for Gambling Addiction

HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania – As reported by the Pennsylvania Herald Standard: "After months spent gearing up to launch a new gambling industry, state officials on Thursday briefly turned their attention toward the personal tragedies they know will occur to some who use the system.

"Among those whose cash will make successful the state's venture into gambling are the gamblers who can't control themselves. No one knows how many addicts will arise out of the 61,000 slots coming to racetracks and casinos across the state in upcoming years, but state health officials are developing a $1.5 million-a-year program to help them out.

"Among the key features is a 24-hour crisis hotline that provides counseling, suicide recognition, and referrals to privately run treatment programs. And the health department is creating pamphlets and posters to educate about gambling addiction.

"…Gambling facilities, too, will be pulled into the program, as is done in other states, said health officials. Staff will be trained to recognize problem gamblers and hand out cards with the hotline number.

"…A health department spokesman said assistance for treatment would have to come out of the $1.5 million that the state lawmakers designated for the compulsive gambling program, but couldn't yet estimate how much. That figure could increase if gambling revenues spike higher than expected…"

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