Gamblers showing up at treatment centers

Associated Press

COLUMBUS

Long before Ohio’s four casinos opened, state officials knew they have to deal with problem gamblers.

Now months after all casinos have opened, addicted gamblers have begun to show up at treatment centers, a state-run gambling helpline has received thousands of calls in 12 months, and hundreds have asked to be banned from all Ohio casinos because they say they cannot stop gambling.

The state plans to spend $6.2 million by the end of this fiscal year to prevent and treat gambling addictions, The Columbus Dispatch reported Monday. Much of that is going to county boards that address mental health and addiction services.

The number of problem gamblers is expected to rise as gambling sites are added. A state survey last year said 250,000 adult Ohioans are either problem gamblers or at risk of gambling problems.

More than 5,000 calls came into Ohio’s problem-gambling helpline in a year, though some of those weren’t about addressing an addiction.

About 450 people have asked to be added to Ohio’s Voluntary Exclusion list. More than 600 Ohioans are on Indiana’s ban list.

“From the very beginning, we felt we needed to get ahead of the game on this and not wait until the problem came to us,” said Laura Clemens, responsible-gaming coordinator for the Ohio Casino Control Commission. “The casinos don’t want pathological gamblers. That’s not good for their business. They want responsible gamblers.”

Hollywood Casino assistant general manager Gary DeWitt said a voluntary exclusion from the site in Columbus results in a ban from all 28 properties owned in 18 states by the casino operator.

“We want to make sure folks enjoy us as an entertainment option, to come in, gamble responsibly and have a good time,” DeWitt said.