Casino industry calls on Congress to keep coverage for gambling addiction treatment – News3LV

LAS VEGAS (KSNV NEWS3LV)

The casino industry is calling on lawmakers to retain treatment coverage for gambling addicts as Congress considers repealing and replacing Obamacare.

According to some studies, roughly six percent of Nevadans suffer some sort of gambling addiction.

Las Vegas attorney Doug Crawford is a recovering addict of almost 10 years.

I burned through $2.5 million of my money in the last year and a half before I lost my law license ... then started in my trust account which of course is a felony that's illegal that money belonged to them and I took it and gambled it away, recalled Crawford.

It was a life of drugs and gambling binges, some of which lasted 40 hours. Eventually, Crawford hit rock bottom.

So I took my shotgun out of my closet and laid it down on my living room floor and I was going to end it, said Crawford.

Crawford credits life-saving treatment for his comeback to the courtroom. Its the same type of weekly treatment that was covered for the first time under Obamacare but as Congress looks to make cuts to the current health care law, the casino industry is calling on lawmakers to keep gambling treatment intact.

The nations top casino lobbies sending a letter to Congress saying, in part: "We urge you to ensure that any ACA replacement policy continues to recognize gambling disorders as a public health issue and is included as an essential benefit."

While Crawford has a new lease on life and has paid back his clients, hes now worried about the number of lives at stake if treatment for gambling addiction disappears.

The moment that this goes away I'm predicting half of the treatment facilities in Las Vegas will go belly up, said Crawford.

Nevada Council on Problem Gambling

Knowing the Signs of Problem Gambling

24-Hour Problem Gamblers Helpline: 1-800-522-4700

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Casino industry calls on Congress to keep coverage for gambling addiction treatment - News3LV