Pat Fowler: Override veto of gambling addiction funds

Pat Fowler: Override veto of gambling addiction funds

Gov. Rick Scott's complete elimination of funds that were appropriated by the Legislature for compulsive gambling outreach and prevention in Florida for the 2011-12 fiscal year will be devastating to compulsive and problem gamblers, their families, and our communities across the state.

The Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling (FCCG) estimates that each problem gambler has a negative, direct impact on eight to 10 individuals, with consequences such as crime, physical violence and emotional abuse.

In this time of budget cutting, I realize that many state-funded programs and services have been cut. The difference between those programs and the program for compulsive gambling is that the state derives in excess of $5 billion from legalized gambling and promotes, markets, and advertises state-run gambling opportunities.

There are inherent risks associated with gambling, and it is therefore incumbent upon the state and its elected leaders to make every effort to minimize these risks to citizens by providing funding for public awareness, education and prevention.

Throughout Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and Hillsborough counties, there are many brick-and-mortar facilities where people can gamble — there are horses tracks, dog tracks, jai-alai frontons, pari-mutuels with slot machines, card rooms and Native American casinos.

Compulsive and problem gamblers also can go to their closest gas station and play scratch-off Lottery tickets at any time.

In addition, gambling is more accessible now than ever before through the Internet.
The FCCG creates awareness and informs people where to find help if they or their loved ones have a gambling problem. The resources available include support group information and self-help materials that the public can access by calling the FCCG's 24-hour HelpLine. The help line, funded in part with lottery dollars, also connects callers to professional treatment.

Without funding from the Florida Lottery, compulsive gamblers and their families will no longer be aware of the resources and support groups available to assist them in the recovery process. There will be barely enough funding to sustain basic operation of the confidential help line itself — much less to let Floridians know it exists through advertising and outreach.

Meanwhile, Florida continues to expand gambling opportunities. "Florida now has the most diverse gaming industry of any place in the country, including Vegas, where the lottery and Internet sweepstakes cafes don't even exist," said Marc W. Dunbar, a Tallahassee lawyer who represents gambling companies.

With these expanded gambling venues comes an increase in compulsive gaming and its negative impacts. Gov. Scott's elimination of funding for the FCCG will have significant negative impacts, not only for problem gamblers and their families, but also for the state as a whole.

Gambling addiction is a very costly disorder for communities and the state. Problem gamblers of all ages often commit crimes and make other destructive decisions affecting their employers, loved ones and communities.

In a survey conducted by the FCCG, college students with gambling problems are more likely to report engaging in a wide variety of criminal activities, including selling drugs, shoplifting, taking money or possessions without permission, and
other forms of stealing.

The marketing and advertising of state-run gambling will continue under the budget that was signed on May 26. But without funding for the Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling, there will be no funds for the advertisements that provide Floridians with information on how to get help for a gambling problem.

As the executive director for the FCCG, I am asking for support from legislators in attempting to override the governor's veto of $569,000 of the lottery discretionary funds that were appropriated by the Legislature for compulsive gambling outreach and prevention.