Arkansas Looking To Speed Up Problem Gambling Resources

The state of Arkansas appears to be taking notes on the missteps of other states when it comes to gambling expansion. The state will start offering lottery gambling later this month, and they want to be prepared to help any resident that develops a gambling problem.

Already in place in Arkansas is a national hot line that is run by the National Council on Problem Gambling. Currently, around 300 calls a month come into the hot line from Arkansas, but not all are people who are requesting help.

Arkansas Lottery Director Ernie Passailaigue wants the state to be proactive from the start when it comes to helping problem gamblers. He will be asking members of the state Lottery Commission to approve $200,000 for the Department of Human Services.

The funds would go towards creating a program to help residents of the state that become addicted to gambling. Passailaigue hopes that the funding will help bring in trained counselors and other officials who can oversee the development of a top notch problem gambling program.

The lottery program will have to set aside funds for the problem gambling program out of unclaimed prizes, but Passailaigue does not believe that is enough. With the lottery sales starting on September 28th, it will take some time to accumulate those funds.

The state estimates that by the beginning of November they will begin setting up services for treating problem gambling. Gamblers Anonymous programs will part of that effort, and they will be available in any city that needs the service.

September 10, 2009
Posted By April Gardner
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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