GAMING OVERSIGHT LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE 4/23/09
Good morning members of the Gaming Oversight Committee. Thank you for allowing the Council on Compulsive Gambling of Pennsylvania to once again speak before your committee.
As I begin my remarks I would like to once again give the Committee, and especially the “new” members of the Committee, a brief history of the Council.
The Council, a non-profit 501-3-C advocacy organization, was incorporated in 1985, and provides services for all Pennsylvanians affected by compulsive gambling issues.
We operate the state problem gambling helpline (1-800-848-1880), where we average approximately 1200 calls a month to our 24/7 live clinical response call center with funding, and support from the Pennsylvania State Lottery and corporate memberships from our gaming partners.
To date, those gaming partners include: Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs, Philadelphia Park Racetrack & Casino, Harrah’s at Chester Downs, Presque Isle Downs, the Meadows Casino & Racetrack, Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem, Mt. Airy Casino Lodge & Resort, and the Rivers Casino.
We have begun discussions with Sugarhouse Casino, Foxwoods Casino, and we have Letters of Intent from them to join with us in partnership. This will allow us to assist them in the planning and delivery of their Responsible Gambling Programs, as they get closer to the opening of their casinos.
The Council has also been in contact with the Valley Forge Convention Center, to introduce ourselves to them and inform them about who we are and what we do.
Additionally the Council provides prevention education to schools and colleges on compulsive gambling issues with underage/adolescent gamblers.
The Council is hoping to soon contract with The Pennsylvania Department of Health, Bureau of Drug & Alcohol Programs in implementing a pilot “Prevention Program”, as well as to contract with the Bureau for Problem Gambling Help Line Services. We hope these new endeavors will be in effect as of July 1, of 2009.
Since January 1, of 2006, the Council has provided clinical training for counselors (Psychologists, Social Workers, Psychiatrists, EAPS, Certified Addictions Counselors, and School Counselors) seeking certification in gambling counseling, and over 1600 clinician’s have successfully completed our 30 hour National Gambling Counselor Training- Level I clinical training program statewide.
We have just recently begun our Level II National Gambling Counselor Advanced Clinical Training course, and to date 140 clinician’s have successfully completed this training.
The Council also provides workshops on problem gambling related issues to various professional groups such as: Employee Assistance Professionals, Student Assistance Programs, Drug & Alcohol Programs, and various church groups (Faith Based Compulsive Gambling Awareness and Education) upon request upon request, and over 140 clergy have attended this training.
Though we maintain a neutral stand, neither for nor against gambling, our mission is to support the creation of prevention, treatment, research and public awareness programs to assist those with gambling problems in their lives. I can say that there is “NO” research indicating a direct increase in problem gambling as a result of the addition of the new form of gambling, as proposed in the Tuition Relief Act.
Please do not misunderstand- the fact that we have found no evidence of an increase in problem gambling with the addition of the Tuition Relief Act does not mean there is not one. It just means that we have no research to date that has examined this specific question and provided us with evidence based answers.
We would echo the findings of NCISC (National Gambling Impact Study Commission) and their 1999 findings from a 2 year- 5 million dollar study- and ask that we call for moratorium on expanded legalized gambling until research on the impact of such gambling can be completed and analyzed.
Environmental impact studies should be a common practice now before new gaming expansion is undertaken, and shouldn’t we do the same to protect our citizens and children, from any negative impacts of expanded legalized gambling.
We do know that the risk for developing a gambling problem increases for those living within 50 miles of a casino, and we know that table games are in the top three choices (sports, slots, table games) of our Action & Escape gamblers. So some of the action gamblers who would not be entertained or interested in slots would be are likely to be drawn to table games, especially poker games. Poker games are the number one choice among youth and college students with gambling problems.
Finally, judging by the common practice in many states, it is “expand now-worry later” with expanded legalized gambling. We understand the need for increased funds to the state, the need and opportunities for more jobs, and opportunity to encourage the economic growth and advancement of our new statewide gaming industry. The issue is one of balance. Balancing these economic advancements with responsible care for the victims of problem gambling.
So, we would urge the Committee not to support any new expansion of legalized gambling without requiring additional funding for prevention programs, education, research, training, Helpline and public awareness programs.
We hope that the State will consider the down side to unexamined expansion of gambling and if other pressures prevail we hope the State will at least be sure we have more funding dollars available to try to keep pace with the impact of the rapid expansion of legalized gambling.
In closing I again thank the Committee for the opportunity to try and speak on behalf of the thousands of problem gamblers in Pennsylvania. We will be here to assist you, the Pennsylvania State Lottery, and the DOH, BDAP as we move forward together with our concerns, fears and hopes for an economically sound and socially responsible Pennsylvania.
I would now welcome any questions or comments the committee might have.
Respectfully submitted;
___________________________________________
James S. Pappas
Executive Director
Council on Compulsive Gambling of Pennsylvania