State lottery is again at the forefront, as state leaders consider using funds from a potential lottery to pay for critical state road improvements. Last week, Gov. Phil Bryant called a special legislative session to discuss road needs. Prior to calling the session, he told local media that one potential revenue stream to pay for the work could come from a state lottery.
Meanwhile, the state has cut funding to the Mississippi Council on Problem and Compulsive Gambling (MCPCG), a nonprofit group dedicated to helping gambling addicts.
Betty Greer, executive director of the group, recently spoke to Sun Senior Staff Writer Anthony Warren about a potential lottery, as well as a recent state budget cut that has affected her group.
What is the council’s thoughts on the state introducing a lottery?
The council is gaming-neutral. We’re here to advocate for the problem gambler. We provide a 24-hour toll-free hotline, do public speaking and work to raise awareness. We also send books each year to all of the middle schools, high schools, colleges and universities in the state that talk about issues related to problem gambling.
How bad is problem gambling in the state?
We have not done a study since the late 1990s, so it’s really hard to say. Nationwide, the last study done showed that between one and three percent of the population had a severe gambling problem or were considered pathological gamblers. One-percent of those gamblers reported gambling causing problems at work or home. To do another study, we would have to have the funds, and the state cut our budget by $100,000.
Tell me about that.
Each year, we get money from the casinos and the state. We have gotten it the whole time we’ve been in operation. Last year, the $100,000 from the state was cut off, so that immediately put us $100,000 in the hole this year. (There are 28 casino properties in the state. We divide that $150,000 among the 28, and they all contribute.) We did receive $150,000 last year from the casinos. So, we finished up with a deficit position this year, because of the loss of money. We are now in the process of requesting our annual contribution from the casinos and have not received money from all of them as of yet.
Casinos are not required to contribute?
It is a voluntary donation. It’s not mandated in state law that they have to pay, but when the council was formed, the casinos agreed to support it because of the work we do and the help we provide. We do have our phone number posted in the casinos across the state and most of the calls we get come from people who have gotten our number from the casinos. Without the support of the casinos, it’s going to hasten the demise of the council.
Why did the state cut the funding?
The Mississippi Gaming Commission had their funds reduced, just as it did for all other state agencies. Our money was allocated to the gaming commission and from there, they sent the money to us. In their appropriation request, they indicated that if they received another budget cut, they would no longer (be able to) give the money to the council. They got another three-percent cut, and that’s what happened.
As the state talks about implementing a lottery, do you think cutting that funding is irresponsible?
There is a huge need for this. (Mississippi is) one of the largest states with legalized gambling. In order for us to exist, we need money from the state and casinos, or we need 100 percent of our (funding) from the state.
I was asked to address the (Mississippi House Lottery Study Working Group), and one of the things I told those legislators is that if the lottery is approved, it is essential for funding for MCPCG be included in the bill.
How has your group adjusted to the budget cuts?
We used to receive more public funds, including from the cities of Biloxi and Gulfport. But when Hurricane Katrina hit, that hurt everybody, including us. Those entities that were able to give money quit. It reduced us to relying solely on money from the state and casino industry.
During that time, the board voted to put the money back at the end of the year, any money that we had left over would go in a reserve, and that’s what we’re living on now. If we don’t get additional funding, probably after two more years, we will not be here.
Has the council been able to make any cuts?
No; there are only two of us here. There were three, but we cut the third position years ago.
How many people does MCPCG help each year?
There’s no way to know. I know a lot of people look at our Web site and call our hot line. There are also librarians who write me and say ‘thank you for sending me the book (on problem gambling), because students have come to request information about it.
How many people call the hotline?
In 2016, we had a total of 5,681 intakes, or calls that come into the line. Of those, 263 were actual counseling calls. In 2017, we had 4,403 calls and 249 were actual counseling calls. We have a program that is called ‘Call to Change,’ where the counselors decide when they’re talking to someone whether that person is ready for more in-depth counseling, which means the caller recognizes he or she has a problem, wants help, but doesn’t have the money or time. These counselors do a six-week program with these people … via the phone.
How many counselors do you have?
We don’t actually do the counseling. We are strictly an administrative arm. We contract with Morneau Shepell … they do help lines for many other state (gaming) councils. For most of the councils, it’s too expensive to operate a 24-7 help line. They have masters-level compulsive gambling counselors and people who speak Spanish and other languages. They are very professional and very good.
We’ve talked about this a good bit now, but what is considered compulsive gaming?
It’s an addictive illness driven by an impulse to gamble. That’s it in a nutshell. You want to quit but are unable to. It’s very similar to drug or alcohol addiction. (Addicts) spend a disproportionate time gambling and thinking about gambling. They gamble despite a loss of a relationship, friendship or career. I’m sure you read in the paper about professionals who are arrested for embezzling (company) funds to pay for a gambling habit.
Those suffering from gambling problems can call the MCPCG hotline at (888) 777-9696.
