RTA to offer shuttle service
The Greater Dayton RTA will run special express service to Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway today, Friday and Saturday. The service from the downtown Wright Stop Plaza to the racino will be offered every 40 minutes between noon and midnight.
There will be no stops between downtown and the racino. The RTA’s regular fare structure will apply.
RTA’s Route 22 will be adjusted for regular service to the racino beginning Sunday. For more information, log on to i-riderta.org or call (937) 425-8300.
Racino facts
Name: Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway
Hours: 24/7
Cost: $125 million to build facilties; $75 million racetrack license relocation fee; $50 million slots license fee
Employees: 500
Slots: 1,010 video lottery terminals
Racing: Live harness racing debuts Oct. 3
Getting help
Problem gamblers in Ohio can receive a free screening and, if identified as a problem gambler, free counseling at many centers across the state. Here are some help options in southwest Ohio:
Ohio Problem Gambling Helpline: 1-800-589-9966
A New Direction for Counseling, Beavercreek: (937) 426-2686
Center for Alcoholism and Drug Addition Services, Dayton: (937) 461-5223
Chemical Addictions Treatment, Cincinnati: (513) 638-2228
National Gambling Helpline: 1-800-522-4700
Montgomery County has on average more at-risk or problem gamblers than the state as a whole, and experts say that number likely will increase after Dayton’s new racino opens its doors at 1 p.m. today.
A total of 3.8 percent of county adults polled last year fell into the “at-risk” or “problem” gambling category, according to a report by the University of Dayton Business Research Group. Statewide, that number was at 2.8 percent, but in the four Ohio cities that are home to casinos it was at 11 percent or higher.
Chris Dougherty, a gambling addiction expert at A New Direction for Counseling in Beavercreek, says he has been busier since legalized gambling debuted in Ohio two years ago.
“Since the openings, I went from maybe one referral every six months to at least one a week right now,” Dougherty said. “Just like any addiction, the more accessible it is the more likely they are to use it, and they realize they’re getting in trouble when they can’t pay the bills or their spouse asks them where all the money went for the week.”
Dougherty expects more calls in the months to come following today’s opening at Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway.
“It’s probably going to have another uptick,” he said.
More seeking help
The racino, which brought in more than $120,000 during a controlled demonstration Tuesday night, is the sixth such establishment to open in Ohio since 2012. It is operated by Penn National Gaming, which will open the state’s seventh racino next month near Youngstown.
Four state agencies are combining forces to combat problem gambling and a small percentage of money spent at the state’s racinos and casinos are earmarked to help people who encounter problems.
Stacey Frohnapfel-Hasson, who works for the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, is the chief of the state’s Bureau on Problem Gambling. She has seen an increase in the number of people seeking help for gambling disorders.
“Research tells us that an increase in access to gambling sites — within 50 miles or closer — leads to an increase in gambling,” she said. “Compound that with multiple studies on the design of video slot machines to increase potential addiction, and there could be cause for concern.”
The Business Research Group study indicated that only 10 percent of local respondents had used slot machines in the past 12 months, and only 2.6 percent had bet on live horse racing.
Hollywood Gaming will open with 1,010 video lottery terminals in operation and offer harness racing, beginning Oct. 3, as well as live simulcast racing from around the country.
“With it being right in front of (gamblers), they can go every day,” Dougherty said. “The potential for them to get into more trouble increases. It’s going to be detrimental to families that have individuals who can’t control their gambling.”
Familiar with slots
About 19 percent of those in the 18-34 age bracket fell into a “at-risk/problem” gambling category, based on their answers to nine questions in the UD survey.
The survey also found that 60 percent of Montgomery County adults gamble, as opposed to 53.8 percent statewide, and women were more likely than men to be problem gamblers — in sharp contrast to the state as a whole.
The report also found that a “great majority” of gamblers in the county had never played at a casino, but only 22 percent indicated they had never tried slot machines.
Gary DeWitt, general manager at Hollywood Gaming, said all racino employees are required to complete responsible gaming training.
“It’s important to us,” DeWitt said. “What we always like to tell customers is have a budget in mind and stick to it.”
Resources for potential problem gamblers are prominently displayed in the racino and DeWitt said employees can help customers if they feel like they have a problem.
“We do feel it’s important to acknowledge that this product is a problem for a portion of the population and do what we can to educate,” said Connie Miller, deputy director of operations for the Ohio Lottery, which regulates the slot machines.
A grand-opening ceremony that will include local dignitaries and special guest Mike Schmidt, a Dayton native and member of the Baseball Hall of Fame, will precede today’s 1 p.m. opening. Gaming hours are 24/7 after that.
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