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Stateside


Sharon Harris looks at the Responsible Gaming Collaborative’s recent conclusions and asks questions


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his election year, voters can expect politicians to make promise after promise. Many already have and will continually offer unrealistic, expensive platitudes that sound great. Other more reasonable and doable


commitments may actually happen if these politicians actually act on their campaign pledges. That’s the problem. So often, once politicians turned legislators gain influence over new tax revenue, they often apply it to their own pet projects. Have you ever noticed that many organizations, including religious institutions, have “discretionary funds?” These quiet accounts give leaders great leeway on how, when and where they spend this money.


While many people do, I never donate, or agree to send other resources to a “discretionary fund.” Why would I assign the authority and decision-making to a stranger or someone with a potentially different perspective from mine on a key issue? To me, “group think” is usually problematic and


erodes transparency. The answer is to earmark funds to specific issues or causes and then expect the correct payment. However, even that can fail and the money is either wasted, lost or misspent. After almost every natural and manmade disaster, or


government failure, there is a rush to contribute to help. Way too often, we learn that portions of those resources never reached the pockets of the needy, but somehow line the pockets of the powerful. Sometimes, a few political leaders have rightfully gone down when discovered.


10 FEBRUARY 2020 RESPONSIBLE GAMING COLLABORATIVE


With that backdrop in mind, I found the conclusions of the Responsible Gaming Collaborative (RG) fascinating. This advocacy organization was established in 2018 to develop new programs that address responsible gambling issues and serve as a watchdog over government programs. The RG is affiliated with numerous gaming/ business trade associations, medical colleges, responsible gaming groups and peripheral lottery/racing participants. The RG and the American Gaming Association (AGA)


just released the 2020 analysis and research. The RG analyzed government’s changing attitudes towards dedicating a specific percentage of gaming taxes to fund RG treatment and prevention programs. It has revealed other interesting facts: • The American casino industry generates almost $10 billion in state governmental tax revenues. That money is partially earmarked for advancing responsible gaming efforts and preventing problem gambling.


• While many do, not all states spend these tax funds as promised. This additional funding should complement the hundreds of millions voluntarily distributed by the gaming industry.


• The RG and the AGA advocate that state legislators only use the gaming taxes for their intended purposes – as described by the Responsible Gambling Effectiveness Principles – and not for unknown projects. Here is my question…if not totally financing problem gambling help and education, where does this money go? It depends on the state. Some state legislation provides that gaming taxes fund education, senior prescription medications, tourism or


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