(Continued)
State funding for Services
The Governor was referring to his public support of continued funding for problem gambling services, which he included in his budget proposal to the Nevada legislature in early 2007. A bill introduced before the Senate Finance Committee in April also proposes to lift the June 30, 2007 expiration date to allow funding to continue at the rate of approximately $1.6 million per year.
Evidence of the significance of state funding was noticeable throughout the conference, with presentations focusing on new prevention and treatment efforts, as well as treatment outcome studies and other research now funded through state grants. Among the conference exhibitors were treatment programs who are able to provide problem gambling services for the first time in many rural Nevada communities. Other programs, such as the Problem Gambling Center and the Salvation Army in Las Vegas, have been able to expand their existing outpatient treatment services with the support of state funds.
Everyone in attendance was challenged and entertained by the opening keynote address of Bo Bernhard, Director of Gambling Research at UNLV. Dr. Bernhard’s address came to them on film, featuring Reece Middleton of the Louisiana Association on Problem Gambling portraying the fire and brimstone gambling ‘prevention’ messages of the past. In the plenary session immediately following, participants were given a glimpse of the very real impact of problem gambling in the present, as told ‘In Their Own Words’ by Shawn C., Carol C., and Beverly P. These courageous individuals inspired everyone with their honesty and humility as they shared their stories and answered questions from the audience.
Bo Bernhard, Ph.D.
University of NV-Las Vegas
The conference also featured presenters from other states, including Oregon, Indiana, Louisiana, Minnesota and Arizona. The Nevada Council hopes to encourage the development of ‘best practices’ in Nevada by providing opportunities to learn from those who have developed successful programs elsewhere.
Although the primary focus of the conference was on current and future initiatives, some time was given to acknowledge Nevada’s history as well. At the Friday luncheon sponsored by Harrah’s Entertainment, the Nevada Council presented its founder, Howard Cornbleth, with the Shannon L. Bybee Award in recognition of his decades of work and leadership in the problem gambling field. In the keynote address that followed, Phil Satre, former CEO and Chairman of the Board of Harrah’s, described his early experiences as a Nevada gaming executive trying to learn about problem gambling and its impact on the customer and the community. Mr. Satre’s address reminded participants that professionals from all walks of life have helped Nevada reach the milestone represented by the 1st Annual Nevada State Conference on Problem Gambling.
The Nevada Council is grateful for the support and participation of everyone who helped make this first event a success. Stay tuned – plans are already underway for the 2nd Annual Nevada State Conference on Problem Gambling!
Click the links below for summaries of other Nevada State Conferences:
Las Vegas, Nevada 89148