Advocates for gambling addiction rehabilitation stated they were “startled” to learn that the Massachusetts Council on Gaming and Health had marketed free slot play. They said this because they were unaware of the promotion.

MACGH provided $10 in free slot play to anybody who purchased a toy during the event.

Addiction treatment advocates were startled by the non-gaming profit’s advertising.

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The Advocacy and Policy of the MACGH

The Massachusetts Council on Gaming and Health (MACGH) is a private organization that operates without making a profit and is established in 1983. 

Its mission is to assist problem gamblers in overcoming their addiction by assisting them with the struggles that they face as a result of their addiction. 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has awarded this organization a contract to provide recovery support services to residents who struggle with gambling addiction. According to its website, MACGH is a “public health agency that advocates for responsible gaming and gambling practices and services for those affected by gambling.” 

The website also states that the organization strives to “make gambling healthy and safe for the people of Massachusetts” and aims to reduce the negative effects that are caused by gambling disorders.

Slot Machine Games with Free Toy to Play

On the other hand, advocates for addiction recovery were taken aback when they learned that MACGH may have collaborated with a casino on an event that aimed to generate cash and even included free slot play as part of the deal. 

Toys for Tots organized the event on December 1 at the Plainridge Park Casino in Plainville. It was a toy drive for children in need. The leaflet states that it was put up “in collaboration with” the Massachusetts Council on Gaming and Health. 

People who purchased a toy at a particular casino were eligible to get in return free slot play at the same casino, valued at $10.

Harry Levant, who works for the organization Stop Predatory Gambling, referred to this as a “lure,” and he said that the purpose of this offer was not for players to visit the casino, earn $10 in free play, and then leave the establishment immediately.

An institution that is charged to assist those who are struggling with gambling addiction would offer a gambling product to someone, according to Kathy Scanlan, a former director of MACGH. Scanlan added that she was startled to find that the organization would do such a thing.

Helping and Encouraging People to Gamble Responsibly 

Because the contentious event was broadcast on the MACGH’s Facebook page, which is followed by a large number of recovering addicts, industry professionals and activists have voiced their concerns that it may act as a “trigger” for those who are addicted to gambling.

Levant, who is in the process of obtaining his Ph.D. in research on gambling addiction, added that MACGH is in fact encouraging people on social media with gambling disorders to go to the casino and play, rather than preventing them from doing so.

Levant is currently pursuing his Ph.D. in gambling addiction research. According to what he said, compulsive gamblers may lose a lot more money by purchasing a gift for Christmas at this event.

WBZ has attempted to get in touch with the communications director of MACGH to inquire about this matter but has not yet received a response.

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