Supporters of playing habit restoration admitted to WBZ that they’d been “shocked” once they found that the Massachusetts Council on Gaming and Well being marketed free slot play.
MACGH’s Advocacy and Coverage
The Massachusetts Council on Gaming and Well being (MACGH) is a non-public non-profit group, which was based in 1983, and is devoted to serving to addicted gamblers wrestle with their issues and overcome their habit. It’s contracted by the state of Massachusetts to assist folks with playing habit throughout their strategy of restoration. Per its web site, MACGH is a “public well being company that advocates for accountable gaming and playing practices and providers for these affected by playing.” MACGH’s web site additionally states that the group goals to scale back the destructive impacts of playing issues and struggles to “make playing wholesome and secure for the folks of Massachusetts.”
Toys for Free Slot Play
Nevertheless, advocates for habit restoration had been shocked to seek out out that MACGH might need partnered with a on line casino for an occasion aiming to lift funds and even supplied free slot play.
The occasion was a toy drive by “Toys for Tots” and was held on December 1 on the Plainridge Park On line casino in Plainville. In accordance with the flyer, it was organized “in coordination with” the Massachusetts Council on Gaming and Well being. Individuals who bought a toy would acquire in alternate free slot play value $10 on the similar on line casino.
Harry Levant of Cease Predatory Playing referred to as this “a lure.” He commented that this provide was not designed for folks to go to the on line casino, obtain $10 of free play, and go away instantly.
Kathy Scanlan, a former director of MACGH, said that she was shocked to see that a corporation that’s tasked to assist individuals who wrestle with playing habit would give a playing product to somebody.
Specialists and advocates expressed their worries that the controversial occasion may very well be a “set off” for playing addicts because it was posted on the MACGH’s Fb web page, which in flip is adopted by many recovering addicts.
Levant, who’s at present acquiring his Ph.D. in playing habit analysis, additional added that MACGH is in truth encouraging folks on social media with playing issues to go to the on line casino and play as a substitute of stopping them from doing so. Shopping for a toy for Christmas at this occasion might make addicted gamblers lose a lot extra, as he said.
WBZ contacted the communications director of MACGH to ask for a proof however has not acquired a solution but.
