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San Manuel Certified to Help
Problem Gamblers
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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 |
