Critics don’t see huge problems with ATM proposal

Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2001 | 10:50 a.m.

Just having ATM machines on casino floors has generated criticism from those who believe ready cash access fosters problem gambling.

How much more, then, will problem gambling be aggravated by marrying the slot with the ATM, as QuikPlay is trying to do?

Not much, local problem gambling experts say, since ATMs are already easily accessible to gamblers. But they still expressed some concerns.

"You have to remember, any time you're talking about customer convenience, you're making it easier for the customer with the problem," said Carol O'Hare, executive director of the Nevada Council on Problem Gambling. "The question is, would they have spent the money anyway (without the ATM device)?"

Rob Hunter, clinical director of Las Vegas-based Problem Gambling Consultants, said he was asked by Global Cash Access to find an answer to that question. Hunter asked his patients, all recovering compulsive gamblers, whether putting an ATM in a slot machine would have made their problem worse.

"Almost all said, 'It's not about the temptation of the machine or the ATM being where we can reach it,"' Hunter said. "They'll reach it no matter what."

Hunter said he's also satisfied with problem gambling safeguards being put into place by QuikPlay. For example, credit cards can't be used in the ATM device; the company offers an "opt-out" option that will disable the cards of problem gamblers who ask to be included in the program; and the machines will not accept requests beyond the maximum daily withdrawal limit on the card. (The casino will have the option of lowering this limit further.)

"The concept of someone going to a slot machine and extending their own credit is something that was not in our business plan," said Bob Connelly, vice president of operations for QuikPlay. "People can get into real trouble there."

Still, Hunter is hesitant to endorse the idea outright.

"I endorse efforts to minimize the risk to problem gamblers," Hunter said. "I'm certainly not going to endorse credit gambling. But I'm supportive of the industry trying to say, 'This is a real issue."'

O'Hare said she was also satisfied with the company's efforts to prevent problem gambling. But she believes the company needs to make sure the warnings given to potential problem gamblers will be hard to miss.

"The easier that decision is to make ... the louder we need to give that educational message," O'Hare said. "I absolutely think, for the social gambler, there's nothing disruptive about that (problem gambling) message being there (on the device). But it may be the thing that may make the difference (for a problem gambler). Let's make that information just as convenient."