MISSION – Native Americans suffer from one of the highest problem gambling rates in the United States, according to the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions.
Some tribes fund problem gambling programs through their state gaming compacts while others make contributions directly to organizations that provide support for people with addictions.
Wildhorse Casino offers a Gambler’s Anonymous hotline provided through the State of Oregon’s Problem Gaming Resource (OPGR.org) and posts the property with problem gamblers resource materials and flyers at the Cage and at the casino entry vestibules, Gary George, Wildhorse CEO, said in an email response. Wildhorse will soon re-post information at their new kiosks.
Wildhorse also has a self-ejection/eviction program for problem gamblers, George said.
Al Tovey, Wildhorse Casino Manager, said “once or twice a week” a gambler will go to Wildhorse Security and self-exclude or bar themselves from gaming or being on the casino floor.
“We also take them off our mailing list so they don’t receive any offers,” Tovey said.
George said he doesn’t know all the specifics of the newly announced Problem Gambling Program being offered in April at Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center, but “we generally support a problem gamblers help program.”
“WRC has been wanting to partner with someone for some time now and WRC has made it known to Umatilla County that funding is available from the Wildhorse Foundation for problem gambler programs. The same would be true for Yellowhawk,” George said in the email.
