COMPULSIVE GAMBLERS GROWING IN MISSOURI

During the past two years that casino gambling has become popular in Missouri, between 100,000 and 200,000 people have become compulsive gamblers.

These numbers could increase, says Dr. Joanna Franklin, who conducts seminars for certified problem-gambling counselors under the direction and sponsorship of the alcohol and drug abuse division of the Missouri Mental Health Department.

The numbers are alarming, say Darline Grebe of the Family Counseling Center, 20 S. Sprigg, and Myra Calahan of Kennett, director of Family Counseling Center.

Grebe, a certified abuse counselor and certified gambling counselor, and Calahan recently attended a 60-hour gambling counselor certification seminar conducted by Franklin. Franklin, who conducts certification classes in a number of states with legalized gambling, has watched her classes grow in size and numbers.

Franklin said the Missouri compulsive-gambler numbers could hit 265,000 before they start leveling off

"This is an indication of the rapid addiction rate among persons who have easy access to gambling enterprises," said Grebe.

Although the majority of gambling problems come from casinos, some come from Bingo and, or state lotteries.

The first casinos opened Memorial Day weekend 1994, in Missouri, but for skilled games only. Slot machines were not permitted until January 1995.

"The games of chance are where most problems emerge," said Grebe."

Slots (games of chance) and lotteries feed on gamblers' fantasies of the "big score." And many surrender to it at the expense of job, home and family.

The compulsive-gambling rate ranges from 2 to 5 percent of gamblers, said Grebe.

"It is surprising that the gambling industry is providing funds for treating compulsive gamblers," said Calahan. "You don't see drug and alcohol people putting out money for addiction treatment."

The Missouri Department of Mental Health has organized a counseling program for gambling similar to those it now administers to alcoholics and drug addicts.

Because of previous provisions, money could be spent on gambling programs only in the counties where casinos are docked. That has changed and the program is now statewide.

There's a need for the statewide program, say Grebe and Calahan. "A lot of people from this area go to Metropolis, St. Louis, Caruthersville and Tunica, Miss., which host gambling casinos.

"What we have found in other states, and I'm sure it is true for Missouri, is that the gambling casinos attract customers from all over the state, not just the counties where they are located," said Calahan. "What happens is that you have people with a gambling problem going home to counties that do not have counseling programs to help them."

Gambling companies thus far have been cooperative, and under provisions of the gambling laws provide the vast bulk of funding for counselor training.

Some $800,000 has been requested for the project for fiscal year 1997, beginning July 1. More than $300,000 is currently appropriated.

Despite an early counseling start, officials say the problem could worsen. In Iowa, the incidence of gamblers with a problem was just 1.7 percent of the population before casinos were approved. Ten years later, the rate of problem gamblers has jumped to 5.3 percent.

"You can expect that rate to go up in Missouri," said Grebe.

The two area counselors have 60 hours of training for certification under the National Council of Problem Gambling.

Problem gambling results in excessive gambling, which reaches a point of disrupting the gambler's personal life, family relationship and vocational pursuits.

These problems in turn lead to pathological gambling, which lead to intensification of gambling behaviors, emotional dependence on gambling and loss of control and interference with normal functioning.

A lot of money is spent on what is considered the entertainment industry nationally, said Grebe. "Gambling heads the list."

More than $39.9 billion is spent by the public on gambling each year. That's a half-billion dollars more than Americans spend on toys and durable goods ($39.4 billion). In comparison, Americans spend $10 billion on tapes and CDs and $8 billion on movies each year.

That tabulates into an average of $1,500 a year spent on gambling by every person in the U.S.

Members of the Missouri Riverbaot Gaming Association have adopted three programs targeted at prompting responsible Gaming -- "Operation Bet Smart," which helps address compulsive gambling; "Project 21," which focuses on preventing underage gambling; and "Know When to Say When," the Anheuser-Busch program to help promote responsible drinking.

Gamblers may seek help by calling 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-314-647-HEALTH.

Gambling companies that provide Missouri's funding for gambling problems are Sam's Town, Casino Aztar, Admiral, Argosy, Harrah's, Flamingo, Frontier, and Players Island Casino.