An advisory committee aiming to help Virginia handle gambling addiction is taking lessons from other states as the Commonwealth rapidly embraces the once-taboo practice.
“These people were not prepared,” University of Memphis gambling researcher James Whelan said, describing the results of a secret shopper survey of several Tennessee casinos he was presenting to Virginia’s Problem Gambling Treatment & Support Advisory Committee Tuesday morning.
Whelan said both in person and over-the-phone support staff at casinos failed to provide help for problem gamblers after they asked for it.
“No one said I don’t know this answer but let me get your information and I’ll get it to you,” he said.
