Illinois must help problem gamblers

The state of Illinois has long been happy to turn to legalized gambling to help deal with its revenue shortfalls.

Invariably, when the state budget is out of whack, legislators suggest expanding gambling to help bring it in line.

This year is no exception. And we have supported gambling expansion in the past. But we also have been leery of the toll gambling takes and have urged the state to deal with the social problems that legalized gambling can create. Chief among those is dealing with those residents who have gambling addictions and need help.

Indeed, in 2001, we criticized the state for showing indifference to this issue. We said then: "The state has been eager to sanction gambling but has displayed little enthusiasm about addressing problems created by legal wagering."

Unfortunately, in 2008, we find that to be just as true if not more so. Back then, we were happy to report on a public-awareness campaign aimed at getting problem gamblers they help they need.

But, as Daily Herald staff writer Joseph Ryan reports today, Illinois has done little else to deal with this issue while raking in billions of dollars from its licensed casinos.

In fact, the $1.5 million set aside in 2001 for that public awareness campaign was reduced in 2002 to $960,000 and it has stayed at that level ever since. Meanwhile, the state takes in more than $700 million a year from its nine casinos and another $600 million a year from the lottery. There's little interest, however, from legislative leaders to designate more money to the issue.

What's worse, the state has no real idea of the extent of the problem. Illinois has not spent any money to research the impact of gambling.

We agree with state Rep. Rosemary Mulligan, a Des Plaines Republican, who told Ryan it was "a bunch of baloney" to overlook the social issues that come with increased gambling.

The problems are real and extensive - especially for those who live in towns that have casinos - as the series continuing Tuesday shows. And the people affected could be your neighbors - like the suburban mom in today's story who fought this addiction for 10 years, driving her family into bankruptcy, before she was able to finally get the help she needs.

Smaller, neighboring states like Indiana, Michigan and Iowa are spending three or four times as much on this issue as Illinois.

Minnesota spends $2.5 million a year and offers a 90-day treatment program for free. A similar program here could cost nearly $30,000.

Illinois lawmakers should be embarrassed. They've either chosen not to do the responsible thing and fund these programs appropriately or they've put their heads in the sand and determined the problems aren't that bad.

We believe more money must go into treatment, research and awareness if lawmakers are going to continue down the path of using evermore gambling dollars as a revenue generator.