The town of Leominster approved a company’s proposal to build a brand new, state-of-the-art slots parlor there. Only one such facility is allowed to be built in Massachusetts after a 2011 bill was passed and signed into law by the governor. Three towns are competing for such a development.
The group No Slot Casino in Leominster lost the Oct. 4 referendum vote, but members, led by Arline Stith, are joining with a statewide initiative to repeal the law that legalizes casino gambling. Gamblers Anonymous International Service Office 4981 Irwindale Avenue suite 700 Irwindale, CA 91706 T (626) 960-3500 F (626) 960-3501 isomain@gamblersanonymous.org.
The vote in Leominster was 5,235 to 3,306, according to The Boston Globe.
The plan calls for a $200 million complex containing the usual: gambling, dining and entertainment. It would be located near the junction of Route 117 and Interstate 190, for those familiar with Massachusetts.
“We are thrilled that the residents of Leominster have given us their support for this project,” the developer, Cordish Cos., said in a statement. “We look forward to working with Mayor Dean J. Mazzarella and the whole community to create a true regional destination.”
Leominster will compete with proposals in Plainville and Raynham for authorization to build. The state gambling commission has the final say, and that decision could come this year.
The latter towns have already approved their respective proposals.
Under the law, the new slot parlor is limited to 1,250 gambling machines. A large cut of 49 percent of gambling revenue will go back to the state in the form of taxes.
The 2011 bill also allowed for three resort-style casinos to be built in the state. Competition for those licenses is also playing out with firms like Caesars Entertainment and Wynn Resorts.
Massachusetts
If gambling is causing a problem in your life we encourage you to ask questions, gather information and conduct research on the type of help that is most appropriate for your situation. This information is intended to be a starting point—it is not a complete list of information or services.
FIND HELP IN YOUR STATE NOW, including counseling, treatment, self-help and support groups:
National Problem Gambling Helpline
Call: 1-800-522-4700
Text: 1-800-522-4700
Chat: ncpgambling.org/chat
and
Massachusetts Council on Gaming and Health
83 Morse St
Building 6, Suite 8F
Norwood, MA 02062
Tel: 617.426.4554
Fax: 617.426.4555
Website: www.macgh.org
Helpline: 800.426.1234
OTHER STATE RESOURCES
• Massachusetts Bureau of Substance Abuse Services is responsible for general health and/or addiction services in this state, and may also have information on problem gambling
• GameSense Play it Smart.
• For the fact sheet on gambling and problem gambling in Massachusetts, click here.
Self Help Resources
• Gamblers Anonymous (www.gamblersanonymous.org)
Is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from a gambling problem.
• Gam-Anon (www.gam-anon.org)
Is a self-help organization for the spouse, family or close friends of compulsive gamblers.
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• GamTalk (www.gamtalk.org)
Is a 24/7 moderated online peer support forum.
SCREENING TOOLS
Please visit our Screening Tools page to access three problem gambling assessment tools. It is important to note that these screens are not a diagnosis and DO NOT replace a face-to-face evaluation with a trained clinical professional.
• The Brief Biosocial Gambling Screen (BBGS). A 3-item survey designed to help people decide on their own whether to seek a formal evaluation of their gambling behavior.
• DSM-5 Addictive Gambling Criteria. The American Psychiatric Association guidelines used for the medical diagnosis of addictive gambling.
• NORC Diagnostic Screen for Gambling Problems. This simple self test will help you to evaluate your gambling behavior. Just answer 10 questions adapted from the DSM IV criteria.
OTHER TREATMENT RESOURCES
• Certified Gambling Counselor Directory
• Treatment Facility List
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
In addition to the resources listed above, there are many additional resources for problem gamblers throughout the National Council on Problem Gambling site.
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• Resources page pulls together information and links about our State Affiliates, U.S. and international resources, awareness promotion, state problem gambling services, financial issues, and much more.
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• Celebrate & Inspire – In order to get beyond the statistics and provide a more personal and individual picture of this issue, this section features the stories of individuals who have been affected by problem gambling, including problem gamblers and their family members, friends, colleagues and employers; treatment providers; advocates; and any others.