Arkansas Lottery Failing to Address Problem Gambling

Arkansas is eager to begin its state lottery, but has failed to address demands in the law legalizing the lottery requiring problem gambling treatment and education.

Arkansas is prepared to open its state lottery at the start of October, but state officials are still confused about clauses in the new law concerning funding for problem gambling. The statute requires that a portion of lottery intake be directed to problem gambling treatment and awareness programs, but no one seems to know who controls the money or how it is to be distributed.

According to the wording of the lottery law, “an annual amount of at least $200,000 (in unclaimed prize money) shall be directed to the Department of Health for the treatment of compulsive gambling disorder and educational programs related to compulsive and education related to compulsive gambling disorder.”

But officials with the Arkansas Department of Health told the Arkansas News they had no knowledge of expectations on running problem gambling programming. A lottery spokesman said the Department of Health plans on forwarding the funds to the Department of Human Services, which deals with behavioral and substance abuse programs.

This decision apparently was made without consultation with anyone at Human Services, or state Surgeon General Joe Thompson.

“Right this minute, Joe doesn’t know anything about it,” said DHS spokesman Joyce Williams.

In reference to the problem gambling issue and who would be responsible, Lottery Director Ernie Passailaigue said, “I can’t answer for the department who’s supposed to do that.”

None of the officials contacted would answer whether the six weeks remaining would be adequate to set up problem gambling programs.