Weird Logic? Open Casinos to help treat problem gambling

Currently in the US state of Nebraska, campaigning is in full swing for both sides of proposals to introduce two casinos and 4,900 gaming machines to the state. The proposals will be voted on by Nebraskans on November 2.

An interesting statement by gambling supporter and local mayor, Greg Robinson was made in response to a campaign by anti-gambling group "Gambling with the Good Life." According to the Las Vegas Sun :

If gambling is expanded in the state, authorities on the state and local level could opt to use the extra revenue to better treat addiction, he said.

More casinos, more machines, closer proximity means better treatment of problem gamblers? Treatment services for problem gamblers are underfunded - lets open a casino?

If you make it easier for people to gamble, you better have well funded services to handle the increased client load. But if you already have problem gamblers and you don't fund services well enough already, why would you expand gambling which history tells us will create even more problem gamblers.

Doesn't seem to make sense to me. Now if you want to make money for operators and governments, gambling is a real money spinner but at what cost to the community.

Expanded gambling does have winners and losers, but by design there are only a few winners and many losers.

GG