Legislator wants TV networks to chip in for gambling addicts

John Curran

Wednesday, March 9, 2005 | 9:41 a.m.

In recognition of National Problem Gambling Week, now through Saturday, organizations around the country will draw attention to problem gambling and the help that is available to compulsive gamblers.

To assist people who may have a gambling problem or their family and friends, the National Problem Gambling Helpline Network offers a nationwide, toll-free 24-hour service (800) 522-4700.

The group's Web site, www.ncpgambling.org, offers more information, including a self-test that may help people determine whether they have a problem with gambling.

Problem gamblers, enchanted by the Texas hold 'em games they see on TV and eager to get in on the action, are reaching out for treatment after they get in too deep, according to experts.

Now a New Jersey lawmaker is calling on cable networks that air card games to start giving money to problem-gambling treatment agencies.

Ante up, or else, said Assemblywoman Joan Voss, who called Tuesday for a surcharge on New Jersey cable providers if the cable networks don't cooperate.

"Cable television channels that are heavily promoting the Texas hold 'em rage should be held responsible for some of the unglamorous side effects, like juvenile gambling addictions," said Voss, D-Bergen.

New Jersey casinos kick in $600,000 annually for anti-compulsive gambling programs; it's only fair that poker networks contribute, according to Voss, who said televised poker has bred a popular explosion of card games in suburban basements and increased participation on Internet gambling sites.

It has also led to problem gambling, according to Voss and compulsive gambling advocacy groups.

"The broadcast media has been very irresponsible in the way they've broadcast gambling-related shows," said Keith Whyte, executive director of the National Council on Problem Gambling, in Washington.

"They have almost completely failed to provide any sort of health warnings, public service announcements or responsible gambling tips," said Whyte, who said poker-playing minors are increasingly calling the National Council's help line.

For two years, Whyte has lobbied cable networks in hopes they would air information about the help line. The pleas have been ignored, he said.

In New Jersey, 28 percent of the nearly 20,000 calls made to the state help-line last year came from gamblers who cited cards or dice as their gambling vices, up from 4 percent in 2003, according to figures released Tuesday.

Many are high school- and college-age youths who idolize poker stars such as Chris Moneymaker and Phil Ivey.

"When they play Texas hold 'em in somebody's house, the parent is thinking, 'Wow, this is great, my teenager is in my house, in my basement. They must be safe,' " said Terry Elman, education coordinator for the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey, which is pushing to get problem-gambling awareness education into public schools.

Some youths fall victim to compulsive gambling.

A 16-year-old Mercer County boy, who began playing poker after a friend who'd watched it on cable TV got him involved, lost $10,000 in a two-year period before seeking help from the New Jersey council.

"That was the jumping-off point," said the boy, who spoke on condition of anonymity. "We played at school and at home and then I started playing (poker) on the Internet."

Voss said easy access to the television coverage by young viewers is dangerous.

"Today's latchkey child is in danger of acquiring a gambling addiction due to the Texas hold 'em fad," she said.

The surcharge, she said, would be imposed on cable providers who air poker tournaments, requiring them to collect the money from cable networks without passing on the charge to customers.

"We just heard about it. We need to review it before we can respond," said ESPN spokeswoman Keri Potts. "Obviously, there's a lot we want to look through."

Dan Silberman, a spokesman for Bravo, said "Celebrity Poker Showdown" isn't really gambling, since the proceeds go to charity.

" 'Celebrity Poker Showdown' is purely an entertainment show, with the purpose of donating money to charity. The celebrities who participate on our program are there to have fun while donating money for the charitable organization of their choice," he said.