"As casino gambling opportunities continue to expand in Kansas, so do the concerns of many residents about the impact those casinos have on problem gamblers and their families. That’s why it’s disappointing to learn that the Golden Eagle Casino near Horton has eliminated the option of people voluntarily barring themselves from the gaming facility.

According to newspaper reports, Golden Eagle Casino, operated by the Kickapoo tribe, sent out letters a few weeks ago telling people who had put themselves on a list that barred them from the casino that the list no longer would be maintained or enforced. Casinos officials said it had become too difficult to manage the list of hundreds of people who were to be arrested for trespassing if they tried to come to the casino.

“It’s a very, very difficult business to identify people,” said general manager Steve Dole, adding that providing people other avenues to deal with the gambling addiction was a better option.

Given modern technology, it doesn’t seem that maintaining and enforcing such a list would be overly cumbersome. If casino operators really want to help problem gamblers, maintaining the list should simply be a cost of doing business."

Get the Story:
Editorial: Gambling problem (The Lawrence Journal-World 11/29)

Also Today:
Area casino drops ban list (The Topeka Capital-Journal 11/26)