Editorial: Head in sand on problem gambling

A few casinos, such as Harrah's, have been at the forefront in addressing problem gambling, but too many have been on the sidelines. Opponents of legalized gambling have noted that, in the same way the tobacco industry ignored the dangers of smoking, the casino industry has acted as if problem gambling doesn't exist.

Unlike smoking, which scientific evidence clearly has shown is addictive, no one suggests that gambling is -- in and of itself -- addictive. But there are enough people who do end up losing their homes, jobs and families because of problem gambling that casinos should take it seriously.

With the advent of the National Gambling Impact Study Commission last year, most observers thought casinos would address their weaknesses and come up with solutions to ward off possible federal intervention. Casinos belonging to the American Gaming Association have taken serious steps to study and combat problem gambling, but too many other casinos have done little, if anything.

As the Sun's Jeff German reported last week, even state Gaming Control Board Chairman Bill Bible, who is also a member of the federal gambling commission, is getting frustrated with the lack of attention. Bible is considering new state regulations that would mandate that every casino tackle gambling disorders.

For a long time in Las Vegas compulsive gambling was seen as a relatively minor issue because most casinos' business came from out-of-state tourists. But today in Las Vegas there are casinos in neighborhoods, and even those casinos on the Strip that used to cater to tourists now entice local residents to gamble. And the explosive growth of state lotteries and high-stakes gambling throughout the country in the past decade has made compulsive gambling a national issue.

Some casinos recently have started training employees on spotting compulsive gamblers and then telling them where to go for help, but unfortunately this isn't a universal practice. The sad fact is that the inaction by many casinos so far has been an invitation for federal intervention.

If there is a bright side, some of the casinos that have been slow to deal with problem gambling seem to have received a wake-up call from Bible. This Thursday a Gaming Control Board special panel on problem gambling meets, and those casinos that had been reluctant to act will have a chance to redeem themselves by offering their views and proposals.

But considering how reluctant some casinos have been to move forward on compulsive gambling, state regulations likely will be needed to make sure that all casinos address this growing problem uniformly.

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