State Budget cuts eliminate programs for problem gamblers

WXIN-TV Indianapolis reports --

State budget cuts will eliminate planned programs for Indiana's problem gamblers. Family and Social Services Administration officials say new programs for Hoosier retirees face the same fate.

"We believe the programs we have in place are addressing those individuals that really need that help." FSSA spokesperson Marcus Barlow said.

When fiscal year income in the state came in $309 million below budgetary forecasts cuts became inevitable.

FSSA said last week it was planning to cut Medicaid reimbursements to hospitals by 5%, but now those addicted to gambling and Indiana's oldest citizens will have no new options in 2010.

"FSSA is not going to fill 400 vacancies that we have right now. A few of our programs in the division on aging we've said we're not going to add new people to those programs and those are the things we are trying to do to save money," Barlow said.

Revenue from gaming in the state is beating the budgetary forecasts, but that $15 million of unexpected money is not being shared with Indiana's problem gambler programs for the foreseeable future

The state's problem gambling help line gets approximately 1500 calls a year.

In 2008 nearly 300 Hoosiers asked for professional treatment to help conquer their gambling addiction issues.

The Indiana FSSA cuts announced so far only represent a portion of the 10% budget cuts ordered this month by Governor Mitch Daniels.