Station Casinos grant aids in opening problem gambling clinic

David Strow

Thursday, Feb. 3, 2000 | 11:07 a.m.

Armed with a $50,000 start-up grant from Station Casinos Inc., a group of Las Vegas psychologists and counselors plans to open a low-cost treatment center for problem gamblers next week.

The Problem Gambling Center will open its doors Feb. 8 with three licensed counselors in Northwest Las Vegas. For a cost of $5 per session, problem gamblers will be able to receive intensive group therapy four nights a week for six weeks.

"For about two years, there has been a generation of problem gamblers that haven't been able to receive treatment (in Las Vegas), regardless of income," said Bo Bernhard, operational director of the new center. "We'll now be able to rectify that situation.

"Thanks to Station stepping forward here, we're in a position to make sure that all problem gamblers receive treatment, regardless of their financial situation."

The Station grant will give the center enough capital to operate for six months.

Treatment options have been widely available for problem gamblers in Las Vegas, but these required insurance coverage or full payment by the patient. For example Trimeridian, a for-profit problem gambling treatment center in Las Vegas, charges an average of $1,000 for 12 out-patient sessions, though costs are adjusted based on financial circumstances.

A similar program offering the $5 sessions offered in Las Vegas for five years was discontinued about two years ago.

"The reality is, by the time problem gamblers need help, they do not have funds or insurance," said Robert Hunter, a prominent psychologist in the field of problem gambling treatment, and the center's clinical director. "They've literally lost everything."

Station's grant allows that option to become available once again to Las Vegans.

"We provide entertainment for a lot of different people," said Glenn Christenson, chief financial officer for Station. "Unfortunately, as a result of providing this entertainment, there are people who have problems with gaming. We want to ensure that there are places for people who do have problems, that they have somewhere to go.

"We hope to convince others in the gaming industry to help us. We have found this industry to be very responsible in matters like this."

Hunter said Station's grant was groundbreaking in the industry.

"This was the first time a major casino operator said, 'We have an obligation to look at the impact on our own community, build a safety net for our own customers,"' Hunter said. "That's groundbreaking.

"They reached out to us, which is significant. This is not us twisting arms. This is a proactive action by Station Casinos."

Unlike previous programs, the clinic will also incorporate a research element. The center's research department will be headed by Fred Preston, a sociology professor at UNLV who has studied problem gambling and its prevalence in Clark County.

Historically, Preston's surveys have found that 7 to 8 percent of Clark County residents admit to having problems with gambling.

By including research, Preston said, the center will be able to identify the typical profile of problem gamblers, what treatment methods are most effective, and how to prevent people from slipping into problem gambling.

"Las Vegas really is a good test tube," Preston said. "Gambling has spread across the country, and it is likely to spread further. What we're likely to see 10 to 20 years down the road in the rest of the country will have already occurred in Las Vegas.

"The best heads-up we can get on that will be really helpful."

The center will be located at 3150 N. Tenaya Way in Las Vegas. To contact the center, call 240-0800.