The Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling, which expects a rise in gambling in the state, endorsed a study that anticipates an increase in problem gambling among youth and the poor.
The author of the study is Dr. Marc Potenza, professor of psychiatry, neuroscience and child study at Yale School of Medicine.
Diana Good, executive director of the council, told the Day: “In my opinion, we’re going to see a real increase in gambling in the next year or two,” adding, “This research will help us get a snapshot of the state of youth gambling in advance of any expansion of legalized gambling in the state. It will give us an opportunity to inform treatment, services and resources going forward as well as gauge the impact of expanded gambling on our most vulnerable and at-risk populations.”
The study is fueled by speculation that the two Indian casinos which have operated for more than a quarter century may be joined by more, including another Indian-operated casino that has been authorized by the legislature in East Windsor—plus the interest among lawmakers and the Governor-elect Ned Lamont to legalize sports book.
The recently-appointed Goode commented that the results will be of interest to state agencies such as the Connecticut Lottery Corp. and the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services’ Problem Gambling Services.
She is urging the legislature to fund a new study on the impact of legalized gaming in the state. It has been nearly ten years since the last such study.
