Bermuda looks to improve gambling addiction help services

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by Change | 11 Mar 2010

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More specialists could be employed in Bermuda to boost gambling addiction support services in the British overseas territory.

Seven people could be hired in Bermuda to boost its gambling addiction support programmes if a proposed gaming bill takes effect.

A new green on paper on gambling states that the British overseas territory needs three gambling counsellors, two addiction counsellors, a psychologist and a social worker, appointments that are expected to cost over half a million dollars, the Bermuda Sun reports.

The report behind the green paper said that the costs of problem gambling addiction treatments will be covered by commercial casinos and not local governments.

"Even if appropriate initiatives are implemented, there are likely to be some additional social and related cost to Bermuda if gaming were enacted," the newspaper reported it as stating.

It went on to explain that the Louisiana Association on Compulsive Gambling "would be happy" to operate a help line for individuals seeking gambling addiction support.

The report also highlighted Bermuda's need for new gambling addiction treatment centres, developments that would cost between $200,000 and $400,000.

Bermuda's government levies a tax on all gambling activities on the islands, while locals can openly use gaming machines and bet on horse races, greyhound racing and American football.

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