Gambling addicts could grow along with casino hours

GAMBLING GUIDE
LAKEWOOD - Nancy Lantz is one of only four certified professional compulsive gambling counselors in the state of Colorado and she's seen the addiction in its most severe form.

"I have one client [who lost] over $1 million in one year," she said.

At midnight Wednesday, Colorado casinos were allowed to operate under looser rules.

Under Amendment 50, which voters approved last November, casinos in Black Hawk, Central City and Cripple Creek are allowed to stay open 24-hours a day and offer roulette and craps games. They were also allowed to raise the maximum bet from $5 to $100.

"It may tempt people who have a problem already to get themselves in a worse bind," said Rep. Dianne Primavera (D-Broomfield).

In 2008, she passed House Bill 1314, a measure that mandated that 2 percent of the funds in the Local Government Limited Gaming Impact Fund be dedicated to funding for gambling addiction counseling. The money comes from state tax dollars generated by casinos.

Lois Rice, executive director of the Colorado Gaming Association, says she doesn't believe that expanded hours and games will create more compulsive gambling. She cited the fact that gamblers already have many choices for gambling 24 hours a day.

"People can gamble at their computer because there are thousands of internet sites," she said. "I don't see that these changes [to Colorado casino regulations] will significantly increase the people that have problems in Colorado."

The changes, however, will increase the amount of money generated for hiring and training gambling addiction counselors.

"Right now, that adds $150,000 a year," said Rice.

Lantz says, in a down economy, some people are more prone to develop gambling problems.

"If they're losing their job, they think it'll be a way of making money. But that can be very devastating to them," Lantz said.

She says those suffering from gambling addiction often also suffer from depression. She offered this advice on warning signs of a gambling addiction:

"When they're gambling more often... when they're spending more money, when they're starting to lie about how much they're spending... Spouses of compulsive gamblers think they're having an affair because they're so secretive," Lantz said.

The Problem Gambling Coalition of Colorado operates a 24-hour hotline for anyone who may be having trouble controlling their gambling. The phone number is 1-800-522-4700.