WSCPG News Brief

January/February The Washington State Council on Problem Gambling 2002

GOVERNOR RECOGNIZES WSCPG, THE WASHINGTON LOTTERY, AND PUBLICIS FOR PROBLEM GAMBLING WORK Problem Gambling Education and Awareness programs of the Washington State Council on Problem Gambling, the National Council on Problem Gambling, the Washington State Lottery and the Lottery's advertising partner, Publicis, were highlighted in the 16th Edition of Governing for Results. This quarterly publication from the Governor's Office is "An updated progress report on how state agencies are improving the quality, service and efficiency of state government." As a State Agency, the Washington State Lottery was recognized for Responsible Gaming Programs that produce tangible results. In particular, the Lottery was commended for:

• Developing strong education and awareness programs and adopting a voluntary responsible gaming resolution that outlines steps to address problem gambling.

• For the tremendous energy and experience Lottery staff brought to help with planning the 15th National Conference on Problem Gambling in Seattle in June 2001--from print and electronic education materials, brochures, media kits, sponsorship packages, and web site content.

• For the new radio and television public service announcements produced by the Lottery and Publicis at substantial cost savings based on negotiating pro bono services and fees.

The Conference as a whole and the Washington State Council on Problem Gambling were recognized for strengthening partnerships in Washington between the Council, treatment providers, gaming industry members, counselors, and the Lottery.

RON RUDY: A QUIET INFLUENCE By Charles Maurer Ron has been a friend of the gaming industry and the problem gambling community for over ten years now. We first met on a Saturday morning at Seattle University when “we the Steering Group” went public and invited gaming industry leaders, policy makers, members of the recovering community, mental health and addictions professionals, money experts and community leaders. We were both cautious and probably a bit suspicious of one another’s intentions. Trust and experience proved those concerns a waste of energy. Ron and I, a metaphor for part of the great work that has been done over the last decade on behalf of the WSCPG, remain friends and continue to nudge our various networks in the best direction for all. Ron’s influence, in this arena, and I suspect others, is gentle, subtle, bright, strategic and successful. He stepped forward when others became distancing and defensive. He worked the crowd and coughed up more than a few dollars to make all of this happen. I respect and admire his courage and endurance. We all thank Ron for what he has done for all of us. He will remain close and be an active advisor. As we have become more stable and influential we need him in different ways. Ron has been a true friend to all of us.

Board of Directors Frank Miller President Cameron Morehouse Secretary Steve Griffiths Treasurer Richard Lobel Charles Maurer Joyce Sundin Lee Topash Tommy Waters Members-at-Large Advisory Board Kirk Black Hazel Cameron Dolores Chiechi John Daniels Wes Fults Ellen Hauge Alan McNeil Richard Palmer Ernestine Rombouts Ronald G. Rudy David Ryder Joyce Sundin Sharon Tolton Tommy Waters Vince Wilber Government Liaisons Maureen Greeley Cindy Reed Ken Stark Executive Director Gary R. Hanson Program Administrator Deborah Miller Rost

Page 2 WSCPG News Brief LEGISLATIVE ROUND TABLE The Legislative Gambling Round Table, created by Senator Margarita Prentice to examine gambling in Washington State, held hearings throughout the State in 2001. The hearings provided the Legislature with an overview of gambling and gave private citizens the opportunity to voice their opinions about gambling. Sessions were held in Spokane, La Center, Kennewick, and Bellingham. The hearings demonstrated that awareness of Problem Gambling has increase greatly over previous years. Problem Gambling was discussed at every session and industry representatives outlined their Problem Gambling policies. On November 19, the WSCPG testified. As part of this testimony, the WSCPG proposed legislative action in several areas: Passage of the Problem Gambling Study Bill, Senate Bill 5549/House Bill 1622. This measure, introduced during the 2001 session, authorized a study to determine the rate of Problem Gambling among Washington State residents seeking treatment for alcohol or drug addiction. Such a study would provide an idea of the numbers of Problem Gamblers who might seek treatment under any future state-funded program and the cost of such services. The WSCPG pointed out that even without passage of the Problem Gambling Study Bill, such costs could be estimated fairly accurately using information from other states. Such an estimate indicates that about 623 individuals might seek treatment every year at a total coast of about $872,000 a year. Treatment Legislation. The WSCPG announced its intention to request legislation providing Problem Gambling treatment in Washington State based on the generally accepted estimates of the number of individuals, which would seek treatment. Current state budget constraints limit the practicality of passing such legislation in 2002. However, the WSCPG believes it is time that the legislature seriously consider the need for professional treatment services. The WSCPG outlined three potential sources of funding, the General Fund, a portion of the existing local gambling taxes, or including funding for treatment services in any future expansion of legal gambling. Insurance Parity: Last year representatives from the insurance industry testified before the Legislative Gambling Task Force that Problem Gambling was covered under many current policies. However, the WSCPG continues to get reports that such coverage is not available. The WSCPG believes that any insurance coverage that includes mental health benefits should not exclude coverage for Pathological Gambling even if it is the primary diagnosis. The WSCPG is examining what action may be necessary to address this issue. Self-Exclusion Liability Limitation: The WSCPG, in coordination with the Industry Working Group, has been working to expand the use of self-exclusion polices where Problem Gamblers can ban themselves from gambling facilities. Some have raised liability concerns about this policy. The WSCPG is developing a proposal to address liability concerns raised by the gambling industry concerning the implementation of self-exclusion. WSCPG HOLDS ITS FIRST AWARDS DINNER Over the years many individuals and organizations have helped the WSCPG. This support has been recognized in previous issues of the WSCPG Newsbrief. The WSCPG’s First Annual Awards dinner, held on November 14 in Tacoma, allowed the Council to honor some of our supporters in more formally. WSCPG Pillar Awards, designed to honor those individuals who have been the pillars supporting the Council, were awarded to Ron Rudy and Ben Bishop. Ron is a founding Board member of the WSCPG. Ron worked quietly, providing the Council with crucial support with its financial and political activities. Ron has decided to step down from his position on the Board, even though he has agreed to continue to support the Council on the Advisory Board. Ron is a true Pillar of the WSCPG. Ben Bishop, recently retired Director of the Washington Gambling Commission, is another WSCPG supporter who worked behind the scenes. During his tenure, Ben provided crucial advice to the Council on many issues. When the Industry Working Group was founded, Ben attended initial meetings and clearly stated the importance the group. In addition, Ben worked quietly to support many of the WSCPG projects. Ben’s support has been crucial to many of the WSCPG’s successes.

WSCPG News Brief Page 3 The WSCPG’s Special Achievement Award recognizes exemplary work in support of Problem Gamblers and their families. Maureen Greeley, Communications Director of the Washington Lottery, was awarded the 2001 Special Achievement Award. Maureen is truly committed to addressing the issue of Problem Gambling. When she joined the Lottery in August 1998, Maureen requested that she be given the responsibility of being the Lottery’s point person on Problem Gambling in addition to her other duties. From the first, Maureen insisted that the Lottery take an active roll on the issue. She was instrumental in having the Lottery Commission adopt a Problem Gambling policy statement and she developed guidelines in support of this policy. Late last year Maureen agreed to handle all of the promotional work for the National Conference on Problem Gambling. This proved to be an incredible undertaking, which Maureen approached with her usual enthusiasm and professionalism, producing a wide array of promotional and fund-raising material. Maureen also initiated a project, achieved under very tight budget timelines, to produce new television and radio Public Service Announcements (PSAs). These new PSAs, entirely funded by the Lottery, are some of the best PSAs on Problem Gambling ever produced. The WSCPG Government Award is designated for government organizations, or government employees, working to address Problem Gambling. Cindy Reed, Communications Coordinator for the Washington State Gambling Commission, was presented the Government Award for 2001. For many years Cindy has managed the contract between the Gambling Commission and the WSCPG. However, her support of the WSCPG goes much further. Cindy is a regularly member of the Industry Working Group and works hard to the keep the WSCPG informed of National and State issues effecting Problem Gamblers. She regularly attends WSCPG Board meetings, offering important advice. Also, Cindy has highlighted the issue of Problem Gambling to agencies in other States. The Media Award recognizes media work expanding awareness of Problem Gambling in Washington State. The 2001 Media Award was presented jointly to the Washington State Lottery and Publicis, the Lottery’s advertising agency, for their work producing the new PSA for radio and television. The Lottery and Publicis used professional actors, directors, and other medial professionals to produce this outstanding PSA. The PSA was distributed to radio and television stations throughout the state and has been aired extensively. In addition, Publicis and the Lottery have taken on the added task of re-dubbing the PSA for use nationwide. The WSCPG Distinguished Program Award honors the program providing services and support for Problem Gamblers and their families. The 2001 distinguished Program Award was awarded to Deaconess Medical Center in recognition of their groundbreaking treatment program for Spokane County residents. The Deaconess program provides treatment to qualifying Problem Gamblers and family members at no- or low-cost. The program is partially funded by local gambling establishments. However, Deaconess Medical Center has borne a substantial share of the cost. As of the end of 2001, the Deaconess program is the only intensive outpatient Problem Gambling treatment program in Washington State. The WSCPG Industry Award is intended to recognize the sector of the gambling industry that has done the most to address Problem Gambling in Washington State. The 2001 Industry Award was presented to the Washington State Industry Working Group for its work voluntary policies and programs to address Problem Gambling in Washington State and for producing the training and awareness video The Problem Gambler. In addition the group did much of the work planning and providing logistical support for the 15th Annual Conference on Problem Gambling. Those members of the group who working on the Conference -- Dolores Chiechi, Maureen Greeley, Lee Topash, Richard J. Caragol, Stephen Strand, and Steve Griffiths – were awarded Certificates of Appreciation. In addition to the awards, the WSCPG has established Platinum, Golden, and Bronze contributor levels. Our contributors were publicly recognized during the dinner.

PLATINUM CONTRIBUTOR

The Muckleshoot Tribe

GOLDEN CONTRIBUTOR The Kalispel Washington State Council on Problem Gambling

The Recreational Gaming H.T. Higgins

The Upper Skagit Tribe The Colville Tribe

The Frank Miller Law Firm

COPPER CONTRIBUTOR The New Phoenix Casino

AAA Bowls Unlimited The SeaTac Casino

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Ron Ruof th

Photos from the Washington State Council on Problem Gambling’s First Annual Awards Dinner. Frank Miller, President of the Council, presented the awards.

s, Principal Group Management r, Publicis, recipient of 2001

inguished Program Award. R

Stephen Strand, on behalf of the Washington Charitable and Civic

Gaming Association, recipient of the 2001 Certificate of Appreciation for his work on the Industry Working Group.

ommy Waters, on behalf of the ville Tribe, recipient of the 2001 Golden Contributor Award.

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Ga Maureen Greeley, Washington State

Lottery, recipient of the 2001 Distinguished Service Award.

dy, founding Board Member e WSCPG, recipient of the

2001 Pillar Award.

Cindy Reed, Washington State mbling Commission, recipient of the

2001 Government Award.

Dolores Chiechi, on behalf of the ecreational Gaming Association, recipient of the 2001 Golden Contributor Award.

Merle Barr, Sr., on behalf of the

Muckleshoot Tribe, recipient of the2001 Platinum Contributor Award.

eorge Teeny, New Phoenix Casino, recipient

of 2001 Copper Contributor Award.

WSCPG News Brief Page 5 GAMBLING COUNSELOR CERTIFICATION BOARD APPROVES FIRST COUNSELORS IN WASHINGTON STATE The Certification Board met in June, October and January and approved the first wave of Certified Problem Gambling Couselors under the criteria for Grandparenting status. Those approved include: Daniel Clingaman, Margaret Ferris, Lisa Hade, Charles Maurer, Julie Pena Medrano, Henry Montgomery, Richard Palmer, Steve Peterson, Tony Steger, and Donna Whitmire. If you would like to receive information about the Certification process or the application packet, please contact Deborah at 1-800-547-6133. WASHINGTON LOTTERY CREATES NEW PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT The Washington Lottery has produced a new Public Service Announcement (PSA) on Problem Gambling. Working with their advertising agency, Publicis, the Lottery has produced television and radio PSAs with a new, more positive, theme. Earlier PSAs have focused on the devastating effect of Problem Gambling. The focus of the new PSA is that a productive, fulfilling life that can be achieved after recovery. This PSA, produced using professional actors, is currently playing on television and radio stations around the state. Maureen Greeley, Lottery Communications Director, and Bob Benson, Lottery Director, deserve special thanks for this effort. 2002 YOUTH CONFERENCE The WSCPG is planning its next Youth Conference. It is scheduled for Friday, March 8 at the Sea-Tac Doubletree Hotel. Conference brochures will be mailed out in January. MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

The followto the Wash

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CONTRIBUTORS CORNER

ing individuals and organizations have contributed ington State Council on Problem Gambling this year.

The Muckleshoot Tribe The Upper Skagit Tribe

The Recreational Gaming Association The Kalispel Tribe

The Colville Confederated Tribe Higgins – Players and Spectators Casino

The Nooksack Tribe AAA Bowls Unlimited

The SeaTac Casino The New Phoenix Casino The Silver Dollar Casino

Visit our website at www.wscpg.org