San
Manuel Vice Chairman Vince
Duro accepts certification
from CCPG Executive Director
Bruce Roberts.
|
The
San Manuel Band of Mission Indians
and California Council on Problem
Gambling (CCPG) Friday jointly announced
the designation of the San Manuel
Indian Bingo & Casino as a “Certified
Responsible Gambling Establishment.”
Certification
conferred by the CCPG follows months
of employee training and policy
implementation to meet or exceed
CCPG criteria for educating, identifying
and reaching out to problem gamblers.
As a requirement of certification,
all casino team members and management
underwent extensive training in
order to gain an understanding of
problem gambling, identify symptomatic
behaviors and offer helpline referrals
when appropriate.
As
part of certification, the casino
has taken an aggressive approach
to responsible gambling, posting
signage and placing brochures in
highly visible locations throughout
the property and directing patrons
to the 24-hour confidential Problem
Gambling Helpline: 800-GAMBLER.
“We
commend the San Manuel Band of Mission
Indians, only the second tribal
casino to receive this certification
in the entire State, as leaders
in recognizing and proactively addressing
the issue of problem gambling,”
said Bruce Roberts, CCPG executive
director. “We believe that
all horse tracks, card rooms, the
California State Lottery, and tribal
government gaming facilities should
implement similar programs.”
Certification
attainment is one part of a comprehensive
policy set forth by San Manuel tribal
government to address problem gambling
as a quality of life issue.
“Historically,
Native Americans across the country
have been plagued with many social
ills on our reservations, many of
which are caused by addictions,”
stated Vince Duro, San Manuel tribal
vice chairman. “Unfortunately,
we know all too well, the consequences
when addictions are left untreated.
And we do not wish this upon anyone.
This is among the reasons that we
pursued this partnership with the
CCPG.”
Recognition
of the San Manuel Indian Bingo &
Casino as a responsible gaming facility
is an outgrowth of several years
of effort by casino management to
increase awareness of problem gambling.
Certification assures the public
that San Manuel has taken all the
steps necessary to mitigate negative
consequences that affect a small
percentage of the population.
“In
order to obtain certification from
the CCPG, facilities need to establish
and maintain certain criteria such
as making problem gambling information
available to patrons, baring anyone
under 21 years from entering the
casino, and establishing a self
exclusion policy. Fortunately, San
Manuel already had these policies
and practices in place.” said
Roberts. “Our goal was to
enhance existing programs and help
create the most complete responsible
gambling program possible.”
Copyright
© 2007 Highland Community News
