The Nevada Assembly recently passed a bill that would enable judges to sentence suspected problem gamblers to treatment rather than jail.

Problem gamblers typically commit crimes like forgery, robbery and check fraud in order to fuel their gambling sprees, and are usually sent to prison rather than treated for their addiction.

“The reason it matters is that we’re talking about people with a mental health diagnosis,” Carol O’Hare, executive director of the Nevada Council on Problem Gambling, told the Las Vegas Sun. “Simply punishing them doesn’t change anything.”

Problem gamblers would be required to pay for treatment costs out-of-pocket, or would be funded by state or federal grants if unable to pay.

The bill will now go before the state Senate and Governor Jim Gibbons before being passed.

By Casino Connection Staff