Special Report: State of Gambling Pt. 2

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - When it comes to gambling, there are some who feel the state is playing a form of Russian Roulette -- especially for those hit hard when the chips are down.

At Indiana casinos, we easily found players like Johnnie Sexton, who called himself “Big Money” and brought $15,000 to gamble in one night. Showing our cameras wads of money, he had one wad for playing one night and said, “If we lose this, we have this other wad as a backup.”

It’s not hard to find people who take it all and lose it all. For some, it is just play, but for others it turns into an addictive problem. According to the National Council on Problem Gambling , between one and four percent of those who gamble will develop a gambling problem. That potentially puts tens of thousands of Hoosiers at risk.

A recovering gambling addict from Indianapolis agreed to speak with 24-Hour News 8 anonymously.

He said, "Thank God I didn't end up in prison, insanity or death…I lost a marriage and a house. I had a daughter. I had a really nice life."

Some therapists say compulsive gamblers have twice the suicide rate of alcoholics or drug users. And more addicted gamblers are seeking help at Gamblers Anonymous meetings.

“We see new members coming in all the time, about 2-3 a week,” said the recovering addict.

Still, there are only six meetings offered per week in Central Indiana. And each year, thousands call the state-funded helpline.

The state is in the business of both promoting gambling and treating those with gambling addictions. But is the state itself addicted to gambling and the money Indiana casinos bring in?

During the 2001 debate over expanding gaming, GOP House Minority Leader Brian Bosma told a reporter, "I think when we first opened the door to gambling in the state of Indiana, we all knew we would be creating a new class of compulsive gamblers. I just don't think many of us knew it would be the state of Indiana itself." (Source: Cincinnati Enquirer 1-27-01)

Indiana has a rare and well-funded program -- $4.2 million a year -- for addicted gamblers. A provision of the legislation that legalized casino gaming provided the funds specifically for gambling awareness, prevention and treatment. But a closer look finds half of the state's $4.2 million dollars is not helping addicted gamblers. Instead, it goes to alcohol and drug treatment programs.

Jerry Long is the director of the Indiana Council on Problem Gambling. He said his group is committed to getting back all the money for the sole purpose of problem gambling treatment. But he admits there is no firm time line to get the money returned.

Long says Indiana lacks help for problem gamblers. He’s has worked to correct the issues for years. In 2006, he sounded the alarm citing no money to pay for treatment, lack of treatment options, and lack of credentialed gambling treatment counselors. Counselors also say there are not enough Gamblers Anonymous meetings, leaving thousands with the option of simply calling a hot line. It is a hot line that can be a lifeline for addicted gamblers.

There are three phases to compulsive gambling: winning, losing and chasing. Experts say in the chasing phase, where you are sure you can win again, you become an addict.

Keep in mind, 20 years ago, gambling didn't exist in Indiana.

So as we may see a friend or family member with a drug or alcohol problem, you often don't see the effects -- bankruptcy, divorce, foreclosure, suicide -- on a gambler until it is too late.

Related Information:

• National Gamblers Anonymous Hotline 1-888-GAHelps
  
• Local Gamblers Anonymous Hotline 1-866-442-8621
• Indiana Problem Gambling Help Line 1-800-994-8448
• IndianaProblemGambling.org
• GamblersAnonymous.org