Problem and pathological gamblers are estimated to cost the state $1 billion each year. Currently the state offers preventative measures, but does not have any state-funded, free treatment available.

 

“We can refer them to a counselor for a fee because there’s no free treatment that I know of, if they’re able to still find funding from mom, dad or a relative,” said Bruce Roberts, executive director of the California Council on Problem Gambling, “because believe me, when a problem gambler finally decides to reach out for help, they’re not going to have the money to pay for treatment.”

 

In 2006, gambling help lines reported a 3,000-call increase over seven years. In that same period, California ratified expanded Indian Gaming Compacts that dramatically increased the number of casinos and slot machines in California.

 

Help line data and studies show that Indian Casinos are the primary gambling preference of California’s problem gamblers.

 

With Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signing four amended Indian Gaming Compacts Tuesday that expand casino operations in California, the state’s need to address the growing trend of problem and pathological gambling is paramount.

 

The National Opinion Research Center found that adults living within 50 miles of a casino were twice as likely to become pathological or problem gamblers. And some 68 percent of callers in 2006 identified Indian casinos as their primary gambling preference.

 

Assembly Bills 1336 and 1339, introduced in February 2007, were drafted to establish a state plan to provide free counseling and treatment services to Californians as well as establish new criteria for certifying problem-gambling counselors.

 

“We’re bringing together a group of 19 members to discuss the problems and how we can address them in a more comprehensive manner, given that one in 28 Californians are still dealing with problem gambling issues despite our preventative measures,” said Shirley Kim, a press representative from A.B. 1339 sponsor Assemblymember Alberto Torrico’s office.

 

But the legislation does not call for definitive action until 2009.

 

“That’s distressing to us because we thought it was going to be a bill that somehow got treatment off the ground in California,” Roberts said. “They want to form a committee that creates a plan going forward that would include treatment. We think there’ve been enough studies done. We think the Gambling in the Golden State and the recent prevalence study is pretty much all anybody needs to know. There’re a lot of folks out here that are hurting and pretty desperate for treatment.”

 

Currently, there are 24 certified problem gambling counselors in California. Roberts estimates that to adequately address the needs of California’s problem and pathological gamblers, the state would need over 1,000 certified counselors. A.B. 1336 would change the certification process and set new regulations for problem gambling counselors.

 

“We, frankly, just don’t understand why they would want to do that when there’re programs and national programs already in place that do all that stuff and have set the standards nationwide. Why would California want to change all that?” Roberts said.

 

As Schwarzenegger continues to fast-track expanded casino operations and the numbers of problem and pathological gamblers in the state continue to grow, 2009 is too far away for Roberts.

 

“The problem there is that doesn’t seem to be moving anywhere right now. I don’t know what the delay is.”