Problem gambling grows as casinos proliferate in Oklahoma
BY ROCHELLE HINES/THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
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Published: September 18, 2009
Of all the labels that apply to Jackie Borovetz — wife, mother, grandmother, professional — gambling addict might be the last to come to mind.
But the life of this deputy at the Muskogee County Court Clerk's office, a daughter of a Baptist deacon, began crumbling several years ago as Native American casinos began proliferating across Oklahoma.
"I started gambling when they first brought them into Muskogee," she said in a telephone interview from FMC Carswell, a prison in Fort Worth, Texas, where she is serving time for taking nearly $600,000 from the clerk's office. "What happened the first time I ever took money from the court, I had gambled my whole paycheck and I had no money.
"I had no clue how much money I'd taken. I was as shocked as anyone else."
Borovetz is one of a number of state, local and business officials who have been accused of stealing money to pay gambling debts. Experts have reported seeing an increase in the number of residents who are struggling with the problem.
Tribal casinos have grown in size and number since voters in 2004 approved a law expanding tribal gaming. There are now more than 100 tribal casinos in the state. Four horse racing tracks, the state lottery and even the Internet offer more gaming options.
"Of course the number of problem gamblers is on the rise," said Wiley Harwell, executive director of the Oklahoma Association for Problem & Compulsive Gambling office in Norman. "Anytime you have casinos, per se, you're gong to have this come along with it. If you're in the casino business, you're in the problem gambling business as well. We're just now seeing our fair share of it."
Figures from the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services show the number of people who called the state's gambling helpline increased from 627 in fiscal year 2007 to 912 in fiscal year 2009. The number of people seeking treatment for gambling addiction at a state-funded facility rose from 149 to 350 in the same time period.
"Gambling addiction used to be a hidden problem in poker rooms," Harwell said. "Now you see more and more casino gamblers."
Harwell said many of people who call the helpline see the number on posters and brochures that are required at casinos.
These numbers don't address those who seek private help. Many more do not seek help at all
The National Council on Problem Gambling estimates about 8 million people nationally are pathological or problem gamblers, which would translate to about 75,000 people in Oklahoma, said Caletta McPherson, deputy commissioner of substance abuse services for the mental health department.
"We've definitely seen a lot of growth in the past few years and are going to see growth pertaining to gambling facilities and those in need of gambling treatment services," McPherson said. "I think this is something that is on the verge of being pretty substantial as far as service needs in the state of Oklahoma."
Harwell said as part of their compacts with the state, tribal casinos provide posters, brochures and training for their employees. He works as a consultant with the tribes and trains workers on the signs and symptoms of the problem gambler.
Bill Lance, chief executive of the Chickasaw Nation's commerce division, said the tribe is one of the founders of Harwell's organization and works to promote a better understanding of gambling problems. The tribe has 13 facilities that offer gaming, including six that are casinos.
"We want our patrons to enjoy the experience and have fun," Lance said. "But with that fun comes some responsibility — ours and our patrons — because once a game ceases to be fun, it ceases to be a game."
Borovetz, 58, said gambling was an escape from pressure at work and in her marriage.
"You could go to these casinos and just punch buttons," she said. "Before long, I didn't think about anything else."
Borovetz, who previously spent 26 years keeping the books at car dealerships, said that during her six-year tenure as deputy court clerk she started spending all of her monthly pay at the casino.
"I think my ex-husband had to bail me out to the tune of $5,000 three times on top of my paycheck," Borovetz said.
She admitted in federal court earlier this year that she devised a scheme to defraud the state and Muskogee County of $594,230 from November 2007 to September 2008. She received terms of 51 months on the federal level and 10 years on the state level. The sentences are running concurrently, Muskogee County District Attorney Larry Moore said.
While in prison, she's missed milestones, including her grandson's graduation from high school.
"What I've done to my family goes so much beyond a dollar sign," she said.
Gambling has been a factor in several other cases in Oklahoma:
—Roger Q. Melson, former director of audits for the Commissioners of the Land Office, was named in a 174-count indictment in June that accused him of taking more than $1.16 million in royalty payments to the office. His attorney has said Melson has a gambling problem.
—Danny Rennels, the former executive secretary for a private association that regulates high school sports in Oklahoma, was charged Monday with embezzling $457,500 from the organization. Prosecutors said Rennels indicated he gambled the money away.
—Former State Rep. Mike Mass was sentenced last May to two years in prison for his role in a kickback scheme prosecutors said was fueled by his gambling addiction.
Such cases help boost awareness of the problem of gambling addiction, Harwell said.
"Every time a case like that happens," he said, "it helps us out."
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