Nevada To Help Problem Gamblers Via Special Diversion Court

Exciting news comes from Clark County, Nevada, at least to punters prone to gambling addiction. Scilicet, the county has decided to found a special diversion court for problem gamblers charged with non-violent crimes. Instead of jail time, they will get expert help.

Shuffling the Deck

According to Family Court Judge, Cheryl Moss, the court has already begun accepting referrals from judges in charge of criminal cases.

The “historic” move, as Moss puts it, is big news, not only in Nevada but worldwide.

"I've always envisioned a gambling treatment court in the back of my mind," she explains.

Seeing as the judge instituted gambling assessments in family cases 17 long years ago, she is likely to succeed in her quest. Presently, Moss plans to hold gamblers court in her courtroom in Las Vegas “at least every other Friday.”

In 2016, Moss wrote an article for the UNLV Gaming Law Journal titled “Shuffling the Deck: The Role of the Courts in Problem Gambling Cases”, detailing approaches to gambling diversion programs.

“I believe that addressing problem gambling starts with awareness and educating the public. In my career as a family court judge, awareness and educating the public are not possible without substantive knowledge and actual courtroom experience”, the article reads.

Moss is the daughter of psychiatrist Rena Nora, the late leader of a group advocating criminal diversion for people suffering from gambling addiction.

Intensive Counseling Coming Next

Nevada implemented specialty court programs in the previous millennium… in 1992, to be more precise. Those are intended for people facing criminal charges stemming from other forms of addiction, notably alcohol and drugs.

Using the established practice as the basis of the newly-founded special diversion court, judges will be empowered to order intensive counselling for gambling addicts. The progress will be monitored on a regular basis, allowing faster social reintegration of the addicts.

On top of being more efficient, the approach is also more cost-effective than incarceration and the usual methods for reducing the number of repeat offences.

Clinical Treatment Coupled with Peer Support

According to the executive director of the Nevada Council on Problem Gambling, Carol O'Hare, the defendants will be introduced to “resources and treatment options.”

“The best outcomes for problem gamblers are the result of a combination of clinical or therapeutic treatment as well as community or peer support. We want to make sure that piece is something they can find for themselves”, O'Hare says.

Background Story

The move follows the first meeting of a working group formed by Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson. One of the attendants - Chief District Judge Linda Bell - decided to launch the specialty court shortly thereafter.

“I think we should have a gamblers court”, she said courtly. “The establishment of a gamblers court is a good thing.”

Wolfson's old-time aide, Audrie Locke, might have inspired the decision. Namely, earlier this year, Locke was charged with stealing $42,000 from his campaign fund, but was not charged criminally at the time. Instead, she blamed the theft on her video poker addiction, for which she had reportedly sought treatment.

Source:

“Help, Not Prison, Offered at New Clark County Gambling Court”, lasvegassun.com, October 28th, 2018.