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want to ask questions and discuss their
concerns about problem gambling.
Jim Burchill, Assistant Vice-President of CHC
explains, "Nova Scotia's Help Line is the first
telephone counselling call centre in North
America to address gambling in this way. This
enhanced model combines brief therapy, crisis
counselling, referrals to other sources,
information delivery and 'one-stop' access to
services for problem gamblers within the
province. The opportunity to remain anonymous
also heightens its attractiveness to callers who
prefer not to be identified. "
Burchill continues, "When CHC Atlantic learned
of the Department of Health's intention to
provide an enhanced help line, we bid on the
project based on our ability to deliver
addictions counselling province-wide. Our roster
of qualified therapists to provide telephone
counselling, as well as an extensive network of
associates across the province, was a good fit."
The same sponsors are back with lengthy detailed
bills which include new provisions designed to
eliminate some of the opposition to their
previous bills. The bills introduced in the
106th Congress prohibit only gambling businesses
(not the gamblers), provide many exceptions to
coverage, and provide certain immunities to
interactive computer services (such as AOL)
which act merely as hosts or conduits for
gambling activity. The bills provide interactive
computer services immunity for hosting gambling
web sites, immunity for shutting them off, and
no duty to monitor, provided they shut off
illegal gambling businesses when told to do so
by law enforcement.
There is very little public opposition to these
bills. There is, however, a behind the scenes
lobbying effort. The Internet casino companies,
and their investors, oppose these bills.
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