Gambling addiction concerns raised in Florida

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by Change | 25 Nov 2009

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Concerns have been raised by campaign groups in Florida over the threat of addiction as the state looks set to legalize online gambling for the first time.

Florida could be about to legalize online gambling in a move that has led to fears of a potential rise in the number of people seeking addiction treatment as a result.

A recent report on internet gambling has been submitted to state legislators for consideration and it is believed the document could prove a decisive factor in the decision on whether to allow online gambling.

The report suggests that developing a law prohibiting online gambling completely would be "difficult to enforce", meaning the legislature may be minded to choose a different option and could go ahead with legalizing gambling over the internet.

However, there are concerns that allowing online gambling to take place could result in a significant increase in the number of people from the state heading to rehab centers suffering from gambling addictions.

The timing of the decision may also be attacked because in the past US gambling addiction experts have suggested that the downturn in the economy has had an impact on the number of problem gamblers.

This is because many people have become addicted to gambling after being made redundant and trying to win their fortune through gambling.

Florida has already seen an increase in the number of people heading to rehab clinics since the state legalized blackjack.

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