ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, June 24, 1996 TAG: 9606240156
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-4 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH
SOURCE: Associated Press
Harvey Markman is looking for one more lucky number on a Virginia lottery ticket: a 1-800 hot line for out-of-control gamblers.
Markman is a recovering gambling addict who has been a longtime anonymous activist for those who share his affliction. Now he's going public in a drive to get the Virginia Lottery to deal with the problem.
State Sen. Mark Earley, R-Chesapeake, and Del. Robert Tata, R-Virginia Beach, have agreed to help Markman by introducing bills in the General Assembly to put a toll-free Gamblers Anonymous telephone number on the back of Virginia Lottery tickets. Funding for the project has yet to be worked out, both lawmakers said.
``Gambling is the fastest-growing industry in America,'' Markman said. ``There are casinos in more than 30 states, off-track betting in a lot of states, slot machines at race tracks.
``For most people it's just an enjoyable form of recreation, but for some, they get in trouble, and I think the state should offer a treatment program.
``In other states, like Texas, they print a help number on their tickets. Texas gives $2 million a year for treatment and education. Iowa and Minnesota give money; so do New Jersey, Maryland and a lot of others.''
Past efforts in the General Assembly to have the state fund a program for problem gamblers have failed.
``I think we're extracting so many dollars out of the citizens of Virginia that we ought to try to help the handful of gamblers who are compulsive,'' Tata said.
Spokeswoman Paula Otto said the Virginia Lottery has no objection to publishing a Gamblers Anonymous number on its tickets, so long as the organization or state lawmakers work out the funding to run the hot line.
Originally from Brooklyn, Markman has been involved with Gamblers Anonymous in Virginia Beach since moving here eight years ago.
He said he is going public because of the gravity of the problem.
``It's just the mere fact that if we can help somebody, just one person, then I'm willing to do that,'' he said. ``We've got to realize that while most people can deal with it, gambling, for some, is an insidious disease. It's up to the state to recognize that and to help.''
LENGTH: Short : 49 linesby CNB