Ethics Newsline®

LAS VEGAS
The Associated Press last week profiled a new proposal by the governor of Nevada, who hopes to earmark $200,000 for treating compulsive gamblers — the first time the state government has anted up to fight the problem.

In Nevada, gambling firms currently pull in nearly $10 billion in annual revenues, contributing about $1 million to problem gambling efforts.

The Nevada state government so far has failed to follow suit — something Gov. Kenny Guinn wants to change, even if his $200,000 proposal received a tempered welcome as a bit stingy and small to effect the needed changes.

MGM Mirage executive Alan Feldman said the Guinn’s proposal was both overdue and underfunded, noting that Nevada expects to rake in $1.83 billion in gambling and live entertainment taxes over the next two years.

While all U.S. states except Hawaii and Utah have some form of legalized gambling, only 17 fund programs to treat pathological or problem gamblers — an estimated 5 percent of the population — according to the report.