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Responsible‑gaming experts urge evidence‑based safeguards: funding, treatment capacity and flexible regulation
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Summary
An experienced responsible‑gaming researcher and industry figure told the working group Hawaii lacks problem‑gambling infrastructure and recommended baseline prevalence studies, a small dedicated fund (1–2% of gaming tax revenue), culturally sensitive treatment capacity, and flexible regulation to allow policy adjustment.
Alan (identified by the committee as a long‑time industry and research leader) told the tourism and gaming working group on Feb. 19 that responsible‑gaming policies should be evidence‑driven and include prevention, education, treatment, enforcement, research and operator standards.
Alan described current prevalence, treatment and programmatic gaps in Hawaii. He said gambling is widespread but gambling disorder is relatively uncommon; he cited a figure (presented as a rough, literature‑based estimate) that about 6% of adults fall somewhere on a continuum from mild harm to gambling disorder and stressed the need for consistent screening and baseline studies before policy changes. "Gambling is common. Gambling disorder is not," he said.
On funding and program design, Alan recommended setting a small percentage of gaming tax revenue aside—he suggested roughly 1%–2%—to fund prevention, treatment and research through an advisory committee that includes community, industry, clinical and academic stakeholders and that is housed in public health. He recommended avoiding overly prescriptive statutory language so programs and regulators can adapt as evidence evolves.
Alan warned that voluntary self‑exclusion programs have limits (low uptake and cross‑jurisdiction loopholes) and advised against criminalizing relapse. He said treatment works: "After 6 months, there's an 80 percent effective rate. And after a year, there's over 90 percent effectiveness rate," he told members, while also noting relapse is part of the recovery process.
Committee members asked about culturally tailored programs for indigenous communities, certification timelines for gambling counselors, and whether gaming access correlates with higher problem‑gambling rates. Alan said culturally sensitive approaches exist and that tribal and commercial operators generally have responsible‑gaming programs, but engagement levels vary. He estimated it could take about six months to train existing substance‑use counselors to provide gambling‑specific services.
Alan and members agreed on the need for baseline prevalence studies in Hawaii, better data sharing between operators and public health agencies, and a stakeholder advisory process to prioritize funding for prevention and treatment. Alan offered to provide curriculum materials, prevalence‑study templates and other resources to the committee.
Next steps: Members requested model program materials, prevalence study templates and cost estimates; Alan agreed to share resources by email.
