Who is To Blame for Problem Gambling
21/08/2009 11:55:27
The new Arkansas lottery games are scheduled to begin in just six weeks now and amid all the excitement and advertising there has been a more serious question posed. That is who is to blame for problem gambling? Reported in the Arkansas News this week is all the information about the game and how Arkansas Lottery law insists that some lottery proceeds be used to help people with gambling addictions but it is yet to be decided just how that help may be provided.
It seems quite vital with the games due to start in just six weeks but the whole issue is creating a problem. The act states that an annual amount of at least $200,000 should be directed to the Department of Health for the treatment of compulsive gambling disorders and educational programmes related to the compulsive gambling disorder as stated in the Arkansas News but just how this is going to happen is yet to be decided.
If course no proceeds of the Arkansas Lottery will be available until ticket sales begin but the lottery must first pay back a loaned $6 million to cover start-up costs with lottery revenue. The issue is whether six weeks is enough to develop a programme for gambling addicts but it also seems there are bigger issues outstanding.
The lottery chief, Mr Passailaigue is keen to point out – to much controversy – that he believes that much of the problem of addictive gambling is caused by internet gambling, rather than the lottery but officials who deal with problem gamblers believe that the lottery is the route of all evil.
Christopher Reid who is a gambling services specialist is adamant that Passailaigue has it backwards. He says that although their centre has some calls in relation to Internet gambling, actually the great deal of calls that come in are mainly about lottery games.
So who is the blame for problem gambling? This argument could go on and on but whatever is decided the Arkansas Lottery is still bound by law to come up with a game plan in just six weeks.
Written by Kath C
Page Last Updated: 05/10/2011 15:30:08
