Critics Fear Increase in Addiction

Critics Fear Increase in Addiction

By Charles D. Brunt
Journal Staff Writer

With two Navajo-owned casinos up and running and four more in the works, people concerned about compulsive gambling fear that a wave of addicted Navajo gamblers is fast approaching.

State Rep. Ray Begaye, a Democrat from Shiprock and longtime critic of Navajo gambling, said the reservation has "already been hit hard" by the social ills that invariably follow easy access to gambling.

While Navajo gaming officials say the revenues being generated at Fire Rock Casino have far exceeded their expectations, Begaye said the casino produces gambling addicts — and one more social ill Navajos must now face.

Daniel Blackwood, director of The Evolution Group, a private counseling service in Albuquerque that specializes in addictions and has developed a compulsive gambling treatment program for Native Americans, said he has not seen a marked increase in the number of Indians seeking help.

But because compulsive gamblers tend to avoid seeking treatment until their addiction has already damaged their finances, family and career, a spike could be down the road.

"If (compulsive gambling among Navajos) is increasing, we'll probably see that increase later as people get further into the development of their illness," Blackwood said.

Most gambling studies indicate that compulsive gamblers will gamble for years before seeking treatment.

Statistics compiled by the nonprofit New Mexico Council on Problem Gambling, which operates a toll-free help line for compulsive gamblers, show that the percentage of help line callers who identify themselves as Native American rose steadily from 6.6 percent in 2007 to 10.3 percent in 2010; the percentage of calls from Hispanic, Caucasian, African American and Asian gamblers were more stable.

Guy Clark, chairman of Stop Predatory Gambling New Mexico, said it's not surprising more Native Americans are calling the help line.

"There are lots of studies that show proximity has a huge effect on the rate of gambling addiction in the community," Clark said. "The closer the slots are, the higher the rate of gambling addiction."

As more Navajo casinos come on line, the problem will get worse, he predicted.
"I'd expect a rather spectacular rise in the number of compulsive gamblers among Navajos," he said. "In the end I think it's going to be so conspicuous to the tribal leaders and members of the tribe that they'll eventually scrap it. It probably won't happen for 10 years or so, but I don't think we'll have to worry about (tribal gaming) living past the compact life."

The revenue-sharing agreements gaming tribes have with the state don't expire until the end of 2037.