For the first time, fewer compulsive gamblers seek help in Iowa

Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2000 | 8:55 a.m.

"We're hoping that this is a good sign, that gambling problems have finally leveled off," said Frank Biagoli, executive director of the program.

But Biagoli suggested that fewer people have been treated because less money has been spent to promote the program's toll-free help line in the last year.

"We devoted 33 percent less in multimedia messages last year," Biagoli said. "So it's possible that not as many calls came in."

A report released by the state auditor's office shows that 923 people were treated for gambling problems in 1999, down from 1,031 in 1998.

The state's Gambling Treatment Program, operated by the Iowa Department of Public Health, started in 1986 when gambling was legalized in Iowa. Since then, the number of problem gamblers had steadily gone up.

In 1999, there were 2,355 calls to the help line from gambling addicts and family members. That number was down from 4,156 the previous year.

Callers are typically referred to one of 10 treatment centers, where they participate in individual and group counseling.

The program does not track how many clients are successfully treated. The state audit suggested that such a program be established in the next fiscal year.

The treatment program receives 0.3 percent of the combined revenue from the state lottery, riverboat casinos and racetracks. Gamblers lost a record $794 million at Iowa casinos and racetracks last year, a 9 percent increase from the previous year.

It cost Iowa taxpayers $2.4 million last year to support public education, treatment, counseling, administration and the help line for problem gamblers. Gov. Tom Vilsack has proposed increasing that amount to $2.7 million.

A treatment counselor in Des Moines said the new numbers aren't reflected in her office.

"We've gone from two counselors to four," said Lisa Pierce of Gateway Center for Addictions Treatment.