"I’ve written about problem and pathological gambling since long before passage of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988.

In 2005, while on the staff of the California Nations Indian Gaming Association, I worked with Whyte, state Sen. John Burton and others in writing legislation to create California’s first Office of Problem Gambling.

Despite the fact California had the sixth largest gambling industry even before the first compacted tribal casino opened for business in 2000, it wasn’t until the tribes put up $3 million that a statewide office was established to educate the public and help prevent problem gambling.

For decades the California lottery, card clubs and race tracks had done nothing.

Certainly, state governments and the commercial casino industry have lagged in addressing problem gambling. Tribal governments have reacted far better to the issue.

Tribal advocates contend that because indigenous communities have health issues related to depressed economies, including a history of addictive behavior, Indians are more sensitive than the commercial casino industry to gambling-related problems."

Get the Story:
Dave Palermo: A tribal perspective on problem gambling (Pechanga.net 10/1)