Lawmakers discuss potential online gambling dangers

Hartford, Conn. (WTNH) - Experts on problem gambling are warning state lawmakers that if the state expands into online gambling, more problems can be expected.

As he has been doing for the past 30 years, Marvin Steinberg told lawmakers Monday about the dangers of expanding gambling in Connecticut.

The latest threat is the possible expansion into online gambling, either by the State Lottery, the Indian Casinos or both, as a way to generate more revenue.

The Governor contends that online gambling is inevitable because of a recent Justice Department ruling, and that even if Connecticut does not permit it other states will.

Mary Drexler is about to take over the Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling from Steinberg and says the biggest threat from online gambling is the young people who have grown up playing games on the internet.

"We're real concerned about underage gambling," Drexler said, "we're also concerned because of the convenience. You can do it from home, if you have a handheld phone that you can do the internet with. Accessibility, ease of accessibility might generate, even with current problem gambling, more gambling."

The fear is that the potential for online gambling to ruin lives, because of the addictive nature of the internet, is even greater than from the lotteries or the casinos.

"What I would like to see is a commitment over time of a small percentage of the entire gambling revenue to go for problem and underage gambling services," said Steinberg.

Everyone seems to agree that the current $1.9 million a year for problem gambling services is too little.

"The tribes have basically kept our agency afloat because we get four fifths of our money from the tribes and one fifth from the state."

On Monday the Governor made a commitment that if gambling expands the spending on problem gambling will as well.

"If we were to go any further with respect to types of gambling, I think an appropriate factor would be one percent," Malloy said, "a full one percent of any increase."

Later this week the casinos and the State Lottery are scheduled to testify before state lawmakers.