The MGM Springfield which open August 23 in Massachusetts, has taken steps to fight gambling addiction at its just opened casino. The GameSense program is required by state law, and its purpose is education and to give addicts a way out.
Slot machines will be flanked by what the Mass Council on Compulsive Gambling considers to be something of a first aid station. The effort is paid for by gaming profits.
Executive Director Marlene Warner described GameSense’s function: “To learn more about what they’re doing. How games work. What are the odds of winning. It’s also a program to help people connect to treatment and resources outside the casino.”
GameSense staff members, who are there 16 hours a day, seven days a week, man the desk but also walk around the casino, engaging players in conversation and even getting to know some of them who are habitués.
Warner told the Boston Herald, “So they are going to be connecting with them and say, ‘hey Joe, how’s your budget going? You’ve talked to me about wanting to play less or wanting to spend within a certain range, how’s that going?’ So they’re kind of that checkpoint.”
The Bay State’s population is estimated to have 2 percent with an addiction, which is about 130,000 people.
GameSense can refer people to Gamblers Anonymous and many other resources. Warner said “We want them to know that there’s always options to talk to people at GameSense. That we do care. We are here solely for them and we can get them connected to whatever help they need.”
