Governor OKs plan to help problem gamblers

David Ammons

Wednesday, May 11, 2005 | 9:44 a.m.

OLYMPIA, Wash. -- Gov. Christine Gregoire on Tuesday signed legislation committing the state to help problem gamblers.

Over time, the legislation will earmark millions to help compulsive gamblers curb their addictive behavior. Until now, the effort has been subject to the vagaries of the budget battles every two years.

State surveys find that at least 5 percent of Washington's adults have a problem with compulsive or pathological gambling at some point in their lives, and that some young people already are developing an addiction.

The state-run gambling agencies -- the lottery, horse racing commission and gambling commission -- are responsible for informational signs and hotline telephone numbers for problem gamblers to use.

The private nonprofit Council on Problem Gambling has provided treatment, in part with financing from tribal and non-tribal gambling establishments. In 2002, the Legislature authorized the state Department of Social and Health Services to put together a treatment program for people who can't afford it, but steady state funding never materialized.

Gregoire said the new legislation, first proposed by former Gov. Gary Locke and a study group, will expand the state program to cover prevention as well as treatment, and will provide a steady flow of financing.

A new tax is imposed on operators of social card games, bingo, raffles, punchboard games and pulltabs, with an exemption for "mom and pop" businesses that have gross gambling income of less than $50,000 a year.

The state budget included $1.5 million in the next two years, but the work group said $3.5 million is needed so the program can reach more than 600 gamblers and their families. Tribes already have agreed to kick in more than $450,000 and in mid-2006, the Lottery Commission will contribute to the fund.

Advocates said during legislative hearings that prevention and treatment actually save money in the long run by cutting down on crime and welfare.