HOOKED ON GAMBLING: Cost goes beyond money

Niagara Gazette

NIAGARA FALLS Fri, May 16 2008

— In New York, $9.5 billion is spent on gambling every year, whether it’s on the slot machines at the Seneca Niagara Casino or scratch-off lottery tickets at the local Wilson Farms.
When all is said and done, the state takes in $2.1 billion from gambling each year. It’s an industry that brings in a whole lot of money for the state.
It’s also an industry that creates a whole host of problems, chief among them, gambling addiction.
While no one’s really sure of the number, it’s estimated in the United States that 1 percent to 3 percent of the population are pathological gamblers and 2 percent to 5 percent are compulsive gamblers.
That’s probably just the tip of the iceberg. There’s also things like bankruptcies and associated crimes that spike when gambling becomes a problem.
Knowing that New York brings in billions off gambling, is much being done to address the problems it
creates?
Not really. In New York, $3.3 million is spent on gambling treatment — a tiny fraction of what the state makes.
Closer to home, officials at Seneca Niagara Casino won’t say how much they provide for gambling addiction treatment or prevention. Hopefully, they’re doing a little better.
But no matter what the Senecas are doing, our real problem is with government officials.
Since it was announced that the casino would be opening in the Falls, state and local officials have been clawing at whatever percentage the Senecas were sending the state’s way. Afterward, they trip all over each other to take credit for bringing in the millions.
But what about when it comes to helping alleviate some of the negative problems the casino creates?
We pretty much get silence.
While officials don’t say much, their actions do, and it’s not very good.
About $2.1 billion comes in thanks to gambling — $3.1 million goes out to help those in gambling’s grip. That’s right around 0.15 percent.
That’s not enough by far.
As problems associated with gambling continue to rise, the problems it creates will end up costing everyone a whole lot more.

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