Editorial: Address problem gambling

Friday, June 8, 2001 | 9:49 a.m.

The Nevada Legislature dropped the ball on many issues this session, but one of the more tragic cases was its failure to approve problem gambling legislation. Nevada is a worldwide leader in gaming, but it is in the back of the pack compared to other states that have been bold enough to fund treatment and educational programs.

Nothing is gained by denying that we have problem gamblers in this state. One nonprofit Nevada treatment center, Problem Gambling Consultants, has a waiting list of 20 to 30 people at a time. We cannot simply continue to feed off of the gaming trough while sweeping under the rug addictions that have afflicted many of our friends, relatives and neighbors. The Legislature had an opportunity to allocate state funds to fight problem gambling by passing Senate Bill 335.

In addition to establishing a state account to support prevention and treatment programs, the bill would have required the State Board of Education to develop course work in problem gambling. District courts also would have been given the green light to establish treatment programs. Given the success of drug courts in this state, it stands to reason that our judicial system also would be equipped to attack other societal ills, such as problem gambling.

But the legislation never saw daylight once it reached the Senate Finance Committee, even though the bill was publicly supported by the Nevada Resort Association. Strangely enough, it was about the only bill the association lost. A golden opportunity was squandered.

We agree with UNLV public administration professor Bill Thompson, who told Las Vegas Sun reporter David Strow that someone needs to assume leadership on this issue. While it may be too late to get anything accomplished this year, we urge the Legislature to make the treatment of problem gambling a top priority during its 2003 session.