Lawmakers consider raising VLT allocation for addiction treatment from 0.25% to 1% of gross revenue
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Summary
Representative Dale Swanson introduced HB 1559 to increase the percent of gross video lottery terminal (VLT) revenue allocated to the Addiction Treatment and Prevention Fund from 0.25% to 1%; supporters said more resources are needed for problem‑gambling services, while charity gaming operators urged caution given the newness of the VLT program and the lack of long‑term data.
CONCORD — Representative Dale Swanson described HB 1559 as a modest but important increase in support for addiction treatment and prevention services funded by a share of gross VLT revenue. His bill would raise the allocation to the Addiction Treatment and Prevention Fund from 0.25% of gross VLT receipts to 1%.
Swanson and a volunteer facilitator for recovery programs urged the committee to consider the scale of problem‑gambling harm and the need for increased support for prevention and recovery programs. "Having seen participants suffering from gambling addictions, it is my belief that the small increase in allocation...would be a compassionate and welcome consideration," a witness told the committee.
The Charity Gaming Operators Association opposed the immediate increase, noting VLTs were only recently authorized and operator conversion is still ramping up; the group argued the state lacks sufficient data to choose the right percentage and warned that changing the allocation without adjusting the statutory share elsewhere would create math problems in the statute's distribution formula.
The lottery commission staff explained responsible‑gaming plans required of operators, and some members urged DRA to produce a fiscal note to show the dollar amounts associated with various percentage scenarios before the committee adopted a change.
No final action was taken; committee members asked for more fiscal detail and for input from the charitable‑gaming commission and DRA.