Problem Gambling a Big Deal to Casinos

(By Sheila Howe 5 P.M.FEB. 22, 2013)- Responsibility. According to Dictionary.com, it entails “the state or fact of being responsible, answerable, or accountable for something within one’s power, control, or management.”

There is much we are responsible for. Responsible parenting. Responsible drinking. Responsible gambling. In all these cases, responsibility rests fundamentally with the person directly engaging in the activity or behavior. But also in all these cases, responsibility extends beyond the individual to include friends, family, employees at a bar or casino, and even total strangers in some instances.

Bartenders and restaurants have a responsibility to not over-serve a patron alcohol. If they do, they become civilly and possibly criminally liable. In addition, family, friends and teachers have a legal and ethical duty to intervene if they suspect child abuse.

In the gaming context, there is an expectation that casino customers are mature adults capable of making responsible decisions. There is also a realization on the part of management that, like in many aspects of society and human behavior, a small percentage of individuals may not have the capability to recognize that they may have an addiction or need help. According to the California Council on Problem Gambling, 3.7 percent of adults are problem gamblers.

At Sycuan Casino, staff is trained to identify the signs of potential problem gambling. Our graduated system for dealing with problem gamblers revolves around EPIC: Education, Prevention, Identification or Intervention, and Counseling (or treatment).

We post information with 1-800 numbers and websites, as well as brochures throughout the casino. If our staff sees a customer who may be at a particular machine too long, or has wagered too much, we will step in to advise and make them aware of the situation.

In rare cases, we will offer customers education and resources to get them the counseling they may need, as well as the opportunity to self-exclude themselves from our property. In even rarer cases, management will offer all the above, and proactively exclude a customer from our property. When we take this action we will also share their information with surrounding casinos to help prevent the addiction from growing. Most importantly, we do not offer credit to any customers beyond $25,000, and only based on a thorough credit and background check. Keeping the credit line low is obviously a good business practice, minimizing our exposure to losses. It also serves as an early warning system of potential problems, allowing us to rush help in where it may be needed.

These measures, when applied properly, can get customers the help needed before a problem arises, thereby avoiding great financial and emotional heartache for family and friends. Problem gaming, like problem drinking, is a serious affliction that plagues a very small percentage of our society. However, it is incumbent upon all of us to step in when we see signs of impending trouble and assume a broader responsibility to help ensure the well-being of others. We have a primary responsibility to ourselves but others certainly have responsibilities too, and we must all do our part to help make society a better place for all.