Lottery Warned Over Network Takeover

A national group that helps problem gamblers has expressed alarm over the West Virginia Lottery Commission's push to take control of the state program in this area, The Associated Press reports.

State officials tell AP that the plan to give Lottery direct control of the Problem Gamblers Help Network is "is purely administrative and a more efficient way to process bills. Critics, however, allege a conflict of interest that breaks down the checks and balances ensuring good government," AP reports.

Those critics include the National Council on Problem Gambling. Executive Director Keith Whyte told the AP's Vicki Smith that the plan is "extraordinarily troubling" and "almost unprecedented."

"The industry has an important role to play in responsible gaming. But there has always been, for very obvious reasons, a line between industry and treatment," Whyte told AP, adding that the Lottery's plan "obliterates that wall."

Whyte also said that the only state to attempt something similar, Arizona, did so with disastrous results six years ago.

Public Broadcasting has also tracked this plan, and has felt out Gov. Joe Manchin on the question. Audio link here.

Update: Public Broadcasting chronicles a similar warning from another national group involved in treating problem gamblers. "1-800-Gambler is the hotline used by the vast majority of West Virginia callers," Scott Finn reports.