When the state Lottery decided it wanted more say in how its money is spent, it probably didn't anticipate setting off tremors throughout the country.
But on July 1, when the widely emulated Problem Gamblers Help Network goes from being administered by the state Department of Health and Human Resources to being overseen by the state Lottery, the eyes of problem gambling programs in dozens of states will be fixed on West Virginia.
The change has prompted concerns about the integrity of the help network, and at the Lottery's request, state auditors have launched a review of the Lottery's past involvement with the program.
But the new arrangement may have little impact on how the help network operates. A look at gambling programs around the country suggests it's difficult to make generalizations about a type of state aid that is still, in many places, in its infancy.
"Every single state does their gaming a little bit differently,'' said Tim Christensen, treatment administrator with Arizona's Office of Problem Gambling. "What works well in one state may not work at all in another.''
Christensen is the president of the Association of Problem Gambling Service Administrators, which last year surveyed the 35 states with publicly funded compulsive gamblers help programs to try and make broad conclusions about the field.
Instead, the survey found a wide range of differences, from states that spend millions of dollars on comprehensive programs including everything from education to treatment, to states that do little more than print helpline phone numbers on the backs of scratch cards.
Based on a review of materials from that group and from the North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries, though, it's possible to see some common features in the field.
At least 28 of the states with publicly funded programs rely on their respective health departments or comparative social service agencies to oversee or administer those programs. Most of the others contract directly with state affiliates of the National Council on Problem Gambling to operate their network.
The programs in general are small. On average, they employ fewer than two full-time workers, and the amount of money invested by states varies widely. States such as Delaware and Iowa rely on funding formulas setting aside a percentage of money earned from gambling for such programs, while others set specific sums.
State lotteries are the largest single revenue source for most of these programs, with states such as West Virginia, Connecticut and Minnesota requiring more than $1 million from their lotteries.
Although there are at least 35 states with publicly funded programs, every state except Utah and Hawaii has some form of legalized gambling.
For the seven years of its history, West Virginia's program has operated under the health department model. The state Lottery provides the funding, but the health department hires a provider to run it, and is responsible for oversight.
The program -- one of the largest in per capita spending -- has become a national model. Its outgoing director, Mia Moran-Cooper, has served multiple stints as chairwoman of the National Problem Gambling Awareness Week.
But the Lottery says it needs more financial accountability. Director John Musgrave said that before a dime is spent on programs, 20 percent of the roughly $1.5 million budget goes to the health department and to the provider -- First Choice Health Systems of Charleston -- in administrative fees. In addition, Lottery officials have questions about some of the expenses incurred by employees of the help network.
Moran-Cooper, though, tells a different story. Last week, she told legislators at an informational meeting that the Lottery has tried to interfere with the help network since its beginning. Moran-Cooper said Lottery officials have vetoed specific advertisements, warned help network employees not to talk to the press and demanded the names of Lottery employees who sought treatment for gambling addictions -- a request prohibited by law.
She warned lawmakers that the new arrangement could compromise the help network's integrity. Moran-Cooper planned to resign from First Choice at the end of June, but found herself seemingly fired after her remarks to lawmakers.
First Choice, which is the only bidder on the contract to run the help network, has called her allegations misleading, and said the new arrangement will not alter the program.
National programs that have looked to West Virginia as a model, though, are uncertain. Many of Moran-Coooper's counterparts in other states have privately expressed concern about removing the state health department from the equation.
Keith Whyte, executive director of the National Council on Problem Gambling, wouldn't comment specifically on West Virginia, but says the national council prefers to see health or social service agencies involved with treatment programs.
"As a policy matter, we do not think it's a good idea for a gaming group to be directly involved in treatment,'' he said. "It's very tough to both maximize profits and minimize harm.''
A bill currently before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce would go some distance toward making states' programs more uniform. It would make $71 million in grants available to state and local governments for public awareness, research and treatment.
But on July 1, when the widely emulated Problem Gamblers Help Network goes from being administered by the state Department of Health and Human Resources to being overseen by the state Lottery, the eyes of problem gambling programs in dozens of states will be fixed on West Virginia.
The change has prompted concerns about the integrity of the help network, and at the Lottery's request, state auditors have launched a review of the Lottery's past involvement with the program.
But the new arrangement may have little impact on how the help network operates. A look at gambling programs around the country suggests it's difficult to make generalizations about a type of state aid that is still, in many places, in its infancy.
"Every single state does their gaming a little bit differently,'' said Tim Christensen, treatment administrator with Arizona's Office of Problem Gambling. "What works well in one state may not work at all in another.''
Christensen is the president of the Association of Problem Gambling Service Administrators, which last year surveyed the 35 states with publicly funded compulsive gamblers help programs to try and make broad conclusions about the field.
Instead, the survey found a wide range of differences, from states that spend millions of dollars on comprehensive programs including everything from education to treatment, to states that do little more than print helpline phone numbers on the backs of scratch cards.
Based on a review of materials from that group and from the North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries, though, it's possible to see some common features in the field.
At least 28 of the states with publicly funded programs rely on their respective health departments or comparative social service agencies to oversee or administer those programs. Most of the others contract directly with state affiliates of the National Council on Problem Gambling to operate their network.
The programs in general are small. On average, they employ fewer than two full-time workers, and the amount of money invested by states varies widely. States such as Delaware and Iowa rely on funding formulas setting aside a percentage of money earned from gambling for such programs, while others set specific sums.
State lotteries are the largest single revenue source for most of these programs, with states such as West Virginia, Connecticut and Minnesota requiring more than $1 million from their lotteries.
Although there are at least 35 states with publicly funded programs, every state except Utah and Hawaii has some form of legalized gambling.
For the seven years of its history, West Virginia's program has operated under the health department model. The state Lottery provides the funding, but the health department hires a provider to run it, and is responsible for oversight.
The program -- one of the largest in per capita spending -- has become a national model. Its outgoing director, Mia Moran-Cooper, has served multiple stints as chairwoman of the National Problem Gambling Awareness Week.
But the Lottery says it needs more financial accountability. Director John Musgrave said that before a dime is spent on programs, 20 percent of the roughly $1.5 million budget goes to the health department and to the provider -- First Choice Health Systems of Charleston -- in administrative fees. In addition, Lottery officials have questions about some of the expenses incurred by employees of the help network.
Moran-Cooper, though, tells a different story. Last week, she told legislators at an informational meeting that the Lottery has tried to interfere with the help network since its beginning. Moran-Cooper said Lottery officials have vetoed specific advertisements, warned help network employees not to talk to the press and demanded the names of Lottery employees who sought treatment for gambling addictions -- a request prohibited by law.
She warned lawmakers that the new arrangement could compromise the help network's integrity. Moran-Cooper planned to resign from First Choice at the end of June, but found herself seemingly fired after her remarks to lawmakers.
First Choice, which is the only bidder on the contract to run the help network, has called her allegations misleading, and said the new arrangement will not alter the program.
National programs that have looked to West Virginia as a model, though, are uncertain. Many of Moran-Coooper's counterparts in other states have privately expressed concern about removing the state health department from the equation.
Keith Whyte, executive director of the National Council on Problem Gambling, wouldn't comment specifically on West Virginia, but says the national council prefers to see health or social service agencies involved with treatment programs.
"As a policy matter, we do not think it's a good idea for a gaming group to be directly involved in treatment,'' he said. "It's very tough to both maximize profits and minimize harm.''
A bill currently before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce would go some distance toward making states' programs more uniform. It would make $71 million in grants available to state and local governments for public awareness, research and treatment.
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