Should Michigan Add A Specialized Gambling Diversion Court?

Can you please rewrite the following sentence? <br><br>”The cat is sitting on the mat.”

Regardless of whether Michigan’s decision-makers are aware of it or not, the state is heading towards an increase in problem gambling behavior.

When Michigan recently introduced sports betting and online gaming, it became evident that lawmakers had to consider the unfortunate truth of the negative consequences associated with expanding gambling options.

Additional safeguards for problem gambling were implemented in Michigan, building upon existing measures, after the expansion of gambling laws in December 2019.

However, amidst the discussions of government officials regarding clean-up legislation and the considerations of stakeholders regarding future actions, it is important to give fair consideration to an idea proposed by Las Vegas.

What is a gambling diversion court?

Diversion courts serve as an expansion of the conventional court system by reducing caseloads and simultaneously aiding in the reformation of the accused.

In the United States, numerous diversion courts operate across the country to handle various cases like juvenile offenses and non-violent crimes such as drug offenses. Nevertheless, out of all these courts, only one exclusively focuses on gambling-related matters. This unique court can be found in Clark County, Nevada, which happens to be the residence of Las Vegas.

In 2018, the establishment of the Nevada Gambling Treatment Diversion Court aimed to aid in the rehabilitation of individuals involved in criminal activities due to gambling addiction.

In the event that a gambling addiction leads to the commission of a crime like embezzlement or fraud, the defendant has the option to opt for diversion court instead of serving time in jail.

Once authorized by a criminal judge, the defendant will be required to sign a gambler’s contract, participate in therapy, and commit to complete financial transparency.

Upon successful completion of the program, which is expected to span from 18 to 36 months, the individual will be eligible to have the incident expunged from their record.

Gambling diversion court possibly coming to New Jersey

Michigan will align with other states if it decides to establish a gambling diversion court.

New Jersey, the leading state in online gambling, is also at the forefront of establishing a second court of its kind in the country.

Assemblyman Ralph R. Caputo of New Jersey recently proposed a bill to establish a diversion court inspired by the successful model implemented in Clark County.

Judge Cheryl Moss provided information about the Clark County program she co-founded during a panel discussion at the SBC Digital North America conference.

“According to her, the increasing popularity of gaming will inevitably lead to a rise in problem gamblers, making these courts crucial for the rehabilitation of individuals. She believes that every state has a responsibility to safeguard its citizens and prevent them from reoffending.”

She clarified that part of the reason is solely based on economics, and individuals are always required to make restitution for their crimes.

According to Moss, incarcerating a healthy adult in Nevada amounts to approximately $24,000 annually, while in New Jersey, the cost per inmate exceeds $60,000 per year.

Moss emphasized the importance of states saving money and highlighted the ineffectiveness of incarceration. “Not only are we ensuring taxpayer savings, but there is also a crucial human perspective to consider,” Moss stated.

Saving lives is its purpose.

Why not have a gambling diversion court?

Critics argue that individuals with criminal intent may falsely claim to have a gambling addiction in order to avoid harsher punishments for their offenses.

Nevertheless, Moss highlights the fact that the Nevada program had a stringent selection process. Before her retirement earlier this year, a mere nine individuals had successfully gained entry into the program.

She stated, “Those who view this as a means to escape consequences are not welcomed here.”

Richard Schuetz, a gambling consultant, pointed out that there is a lack of advocates actively pushing for the inclusion of courts in a practical sense.

“I believe there was a lack of support for it,” he stated. “There weren’t many individuals or organizations investing in lobbyists to advocate for these courts.”

Schuetz contended that it is imperative for operators to take action and actively advocate for solutions.

He urged the industry to wake up and emphasize the importance of self-regulation at some stage.

“Enormous sums are invested by companies in lobbying expenses. It is imperative for CEOs to personally contact lobbyists and assert, ‘We must establish diversion courts, and we must make it happen.’”

Courts could be part of a multi-pronged solution

Adding courts dedicated to addressing gambling addiction is a clear and logical alternative to incarcerating individuals struggling with gambling addiction, according to Alan Feldman, a respected fellow of responsible gaming at the UNLV International Gaming Institute.

He stated that he hasn’t come across a study that doesn’t indicate that incarceration worsens problem gambling. He emphasized that it is a unique occurrence where every single study confirms that problem gambling deteriorates.

Given that you’re confined in prison with ample free time, it is only natural to opt for the treatment program, as it appears to be the most logical choice.

Proponents contend that the establishment of gambling diversion courts could serve as a simple yet effective approach in combating problem gambling.

The courts alone would not provide the ultimate solution, but they can be included as one of the various tools accessible to the public.

Feldman cautioned against considering this as a cure-all solution or the definitive answer to our problems. “However,” he added, “it is one of the tools that should be included in our arsenal, alongside numerous other approaches.”

Please rephrase the following sentence:<br><br>”The cat is on the mat.”