Wednesday, Oct. 21, 1998 | 11:15 a.m.
The front in the war on problem gambling in Nevada is about to shift to the gambling machines themselves.
Under an initiative announced Tuesday by the Nevada Retail Gaming Association, most Nevada slot and video poker machine operators will soon post stickers and provide literature designed to combat problem gambling.
NRGA member companies will place a national problem gambling hotline number on the face of each of their machines, and will make problem gambling brochures available at all of their locations.
The NRGA's four members -- Anchor Gaming, ETT, Jackpot Enterprises and United Coin Machine -- operate 14,000 gaming machines in retail establishments across Nevada, 96 percent of the total.
According to problem gambling experts, Tuesday's initiative is a significant step toward raising the public's awareness of compulsive gambling.
"This is a big step," said Shannon Bybee, president of the Nevada Council on Problem Gambling. "In terms of getting the word out to locals, this has more impact than signs in a Strip casino. ... These are the locals."
"We hope because of the unique locations here that are not casinos ... it will reach more friends and family members who may not go into a casino," said Sean Higgins, president of the NRGA.
NRGA members operate gaming machines in retail outlets like grocery and convenience stores, as well as in bars and taverns.
The gaming industry is coming under increasing scrutiny for its handling of problem gambling. The industry is being studied by a federal panel, and Nevada regulators have already proposed tough new laws designed to combat problem gambling.
In a set of proposed regulations released last month, the Nevada Gaming Control Board indicated it is considering requiring gaming companies to post helpline numbers and provide problem gambling literature near their machines.
Many industry observers believe gaming companies are getting proactive in their handling of problem gambling to stave off the possibility of even more stringent federal regulations.
"Clearly, it's an issue that they know has become the focus of public attention," said Bybee.
But Michael Rumbolz, president and chief operating officer of Anchor Gaming, said the slot route industry is taking the steps because of greater awareness within the industry about compulsive gambling.
"As we became more educated about problem gaming," said Rumbolz, the industry felt a public awareness campaign was appropriate. "Categorically, I don't believe it was born out of any fear."
According to Bybee, the industry has been very receptive to measures -- like the stickers and brochures -- that raise public awareness of problem gambling.
"They took a very .. forward-looking position on it," said Bybee. "It was a question of an issue whose time had come."
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