With the grand public opening of the Divi Carina Bay Resort and Casino set for Friday night, local officials have already met to discuss a problem gaming task force.
On Wednesday, V.I. Casino Control Commission members; Susan Maven, vice chair of the New Jersey Casino Commission; Dr. Olaf Hendricks, chief psychiatrist at the Juan F. Luis Hospital; Chainie Lang. administrator of VI Partners in Recovery; Jaslene Williams, assistant director of the Division of Mental Health and Terry Hogan, human resources director at the Divi Carina Bay Resort met in a round table talked about ways to design and implementing a plan for responsible gaming.
The group explored ways the casino industry, the local casino commission and health agencies can prevent problem gambling from becoming a threat to the well-being of St. Croix. According to Shawna Richards, executive director of the CCC, the Commission is in the process of forming a task force to develop a plan.
The Casino and Resort Control Act of 1995 requires casinos to visibly display signs and posters listing the Gamblers Hotline and safe betting tips. According to Hogan, the Divi has posters that show the national hotline number. Hogan said she expects that as the dealers acquire more experience, they will be able to recognize signs of problem gaming.
The panelists agreed that cultural attitudes and acceptance of some addictive behaviors will play a significant role in creating an effective plan for responsible gaming.
"The message we want to send is that it’s not bad to gamble," Lang said. "The community just needs to know their limitations."
The Casino Control Commission intends to work closely with the casino industry to ensure responsible gaming, but acknowledges that addressing problem gaming reaches beyond the commission’s jurisdiction.
"Somebody needs to insist that the Lottery and the horsemen have a plan," said CCC Chairwoman Eileen Petersen. "Until other agencies join us, we will be screaming for help."
The round table discussion was organized and moderated by CCC commissioner Lloyd McAlpin.
