Agency Might Have to Fold 

The state of Massachusetts could be seeing a great program closing its doors soon. This means bad news for those slot machine addicts out there, because they were here to help them. The Massachusetts Council on Compulsive Gambling may have to close their doors due to budget cuts by Governor Deval Patrick. 

The gambling addiction treatment agency has seen a 62% cut in their funding, which makes it almost impossible for them to continue running. Many find this ironic considering all the pushing that is going on to legalize casinos and slot machines. They might manage to get the slot machines in, but then there won’t be anyone there to help those that have a problem with them. 

Some say that if the slot machines are legalized them they will be able to fund the program – but there has not necessarily been any talk of that nature from the government. Others say that if slot machines are not legalized then there is no need to have the agency anyway – but this does not take into consideration those slot machine addicts who cross state lines in order to continue playing. 

The council says that they are aware that there is a need for slot machine addicts to have somewhere to go, and they are currently seeking out other funding sources so that they do not have to close their doors, but as of right now it is looking somewhat hopeless. They say that perhaps the slot machines, if legalized, might fund them and many other programs out there that are being cut as well.