Tuesday, March 8, 2005 | 10:43 a.m.
The deck has always been stacked against clinical psychologists fighting to persuade the state to set aside money to treat addicted gamblers.
That's because Nevada and its wealthy casino industry have refused to recognize that problem gambling is a problem in Nevada.
Even today, 74 years after gambling was legalized, we still have no state-funded treatment program.
We have tried to keep this our dirty little secret. But as gambling has spread to 47 other states, it has become an enormous public embarrassment. The other states, none of which have the kind of presence gambling has in Nevada, are spending millions of dollars on treatment.
Nevada, however, is making an effort to change.
State officials are finally acknowledging that problem gambling no longer can be ignored.
Gov. Kenny Guinn this week issued a proclamation declaring March 6-12 as "National Problem Gambling Awareness Week in Nevada."
This coincides with the national awareness campaign sponsored by the National Council on Problem Gambling, a Washington-based non-profit organization that operates in Nevada and 32 other states.
In his proclamation Guinn acknowledged that "problem gambling is a public health issue that affects individuals of all ages, races and ethnic backgrounds and significantly impacts our communities."
No Nevada governor has ever made such an admission.
Guinn appears determined to steer the Legislature into finally helping the thousands of Nevadans whose lives have been ruined by gambling.
He has set aside $200,000 in his $5.7 billion budget over the next two years to establish the state's first-ever treatment fund, and he has won a commitment from the casino companies to provide $200,000 in matching funds.
And, believe it or not, some state lawmakers are looking to up the ante.
Sen. Dennis Nolan, R-Las Vegas, is preparing legislation that would seek to establish the fund with $2 million, primarily from gaming taxes.
The sudden attitude adjustment in Nevada has created excitement among those fighting problem gambling in the trenches.
"Nevada has always been a leader on every other gambling issue," says Keith Whyte, the executive director of the National Council on Problem Gambling. "To see the state embrace this issue is a great first step."
Whyte says Indiana spent about $3.5 million on problem gambling awareness and treatment last year and several states -- Illinois, Connecticut, Iowa, Louisiana and Oregon -- each contributed roughly $2 million.
Even New Jersey, which comes closest to mirroring Las Vegas with its casinos on the Atlantic City Boardwalk, spent $700,000 to treat gambling addicts last year, he says.
So Nevada has some catching up to do -- which is going to take more than mere rhetoric.
But, as any clinical psychologist would say, admitting that you have a problem is half the battle.
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