Columnist Jeff German: Prodded into addressing problem gambling

Saturday, Aug. 1, 1998 | 5:13 a.m.

THE national debate over gaming has led many to conclude that problem gambling may be the casino industry's Achilles' heel.

Few will dispute that Las Vegas casinos have been slow to address their role in furthering gambling addictions. For years, the industry has turned its back on those with pathological disorders.

But now, prodded by state Gaming Control Board Chairman Bill Bible, that's about to change.

Bible, a member of the National Gambling Impact Study Commission, where the debate over gaming is unfolding, has seen firsthand how the industry has ignored the problem.

In May, Bible convened the first hearing of a special panel he created to examine problem gambling in the state.

Those who attended, even casino officials, were amazed at the industry's pathetic presentation.

"I was shocked at how little we're doing," one well-placed casino insider says.

You can imagine how the industry's presentation went over with Bible, who knows that the federal gambling commission is zeroing in on this subject. Gambling addiction horror stories have surfaced in every community the panel has visited this year.

Since the May Control Board hearing, the Nevada Resort Association, the political arm of the majority of the industry in Las Vegas, has been put on notice that it better get its act together or risk being embarrassed when the Gambling Impact Study Commission comes to town in November.

On Wednesday, as the federal commission convened in the San Diego area, Bible gave the NRA more incentive to come up with a plan to heighten awareness of problem gambling before the next meeting of his special panel on Aug. 13.

At a secret powwow with top NRA officials, Bible indicated he was considering new regulations to force every casino to address gambling disorders as part of their regular business. He also made it known he may ask the Legislature for money to study the extent of problem gaming in Nevada.

Bible appears obsessed with pushing the casinos into action. Some within the industry believe it's one of the loose ends he wants to tie up before he retires after nine years as the state's top gaming regulator. Bible, however, has refused to discuss whether he plans to step down soon.

One source described Wednesday's meeting between Bible and the Las Vegas gamers as a "frank discussion."

On hand were NRA Governmental Affairs Vice President Jim Mulhall, Washington Lobbyist Wayne Mehl, Legal Counsel Bob Faiss, Mirage Resorts Vice President Alan Feldman and Harrah's General Counsel James Butler, chairman of the NRA's newly created Task Force on Problem Gambling.

The high-powered group seems to have gotten the message. The NRA now is said to be scrambling to show Bible that it's serious about wanting to promote responsible gambling. Many of those same casino bigwigs met again in Las Vegas on Friday without Bible to map out their strategy.

It should be pointed out that the industry as a whole has not been derelict in this endeavor.

The Washington-based American Gaming Association, which includes several NRA members, has been leading the way. It has actively promoted awareness programs and set up the National Center for Responsible Gaming, with nearly $5 million in industry pledges, to conduct research.

This week, the AGA is sponsoring its first-ever Responsible Gaming Education Week. More than 200,000 employees in 26 states are participating in activities pointing out the importance of dealing with gambling disorders.

The NRA, however, has done little as an organization to distinguish itself along these lines.

It's just starting to look at how the problem is attacked in other gambling cities, and it's putting together a laundry list of things it can do to heighten awareness. Under consideration are plans to publicize hotline numbers for counseling services and conduct training seminars to help employees spot gambling addicts.

The NRA also is looking to join forces with the Nevada Council on Problem Gambling to develop awareness programs.

Better late than never, they say.