Funding for treatment of gambling addiction

Monday, February 16th 2004, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- Experts on problem gambling say they are concerned that the state's gaming compact does not contain funding for prevention and treatment of gambling addiction.

Keith Whyte of the National Council on Problem Gambling says Oklahoma must deal with the consequences of expanded gaming or face trouble down the road.

State Finance Director Scott Meacham says funding to treat and prevent gambling addiction has not been discussed in the proposal to expand gaming.

But he says it could be added through the proposed lottery and as needed through the state's general fund.

Meacham says he expects only a nominal increase in gambling addictions because there will be limited expansion of gaming.