HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania – As reported by the Philadelphia Inquirer:
Sen. Vincent J. Fumo wants to toughen state gambling regulations to protect problem gamblers.
In a letter to the state gambling control board yesterday, the Philadelphia Democrat recommended that casinos not cash personal and government checks or check advances for gamblers. He also urged the board to require casino applicants to submit a plan to address compulsive gambling when they apply for a license, and casino operators to post gambling treatment information in advertising and at casinos.
The state's gambling law already requires some measures crafted to prevent problem gambling and sets aside a small portion of gambling revenue to treat gambling addiction.
But the additions would bring the state more in line with what other states require and codes of conduct adopted by the gambling industry, gambling experts said.
"…Pennsylvania law requires that 0.1 percent of gambling revenue be used to treat compulsive gambling. The state estimates annual revenue at $1 billion to $3 billion from as many as 61,000 slot machines at 14 locations across the state, which would equate to $1 million to $3 million for treatment programs…"
John's view:
I actually like the idea of limiting check cashing at casinos. I think those that are there for entertainment purposes only plan for how much they will spend at the most and bring it with them. The combination of no check cashing and limited ATM and Credit Card access could conceivably stop what I call the "deep binge" where as a compulsive gambler you just keep digging and digging for money during a bad session.
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