Bill seeks money to help gambling addicts

The Senate Finance Committee reviewed a bill Monday that would help fund programs for problem gamblers.

Human Resources Director Mike Willden said Nevada has the nation's "highest incidence of problem and probable pathological gambling."

He said a recent study estimated there are about 100,000 Nevadans with a gambling problem. And he said there is evidence many are juveniles who start gambling as early as age 11.

The committee took no action on SB42, which would appropriate $250,000 to the Division of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities to be used in grants to gambling-addiction programs. The legislation would also encourage the state to seek contributions from casinos and other sources to supplement that grant money.

Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Director Carlos Brandenburg told the committee gambling addiction is considered a mental disorder.

"It's considered to be pathological but treatable," he said. "It's compulsive behavior."

Since there was confusion over whether the bill was going to be heard in committee Monday, none of its advocates were on hand to testify. More testimony will be taken at another hearing.

Greg Ferraro, representing the Nevada Resort Association, said SB42 isn't the group's bill, but that "we support the concept." He said there are other proposals in the Legislature to deal with the same issue.