US Virgin Islands introduces MOU for gambling harm prevention

Neha Soni December 10, 2024

SiGMA news

The US Virgin Islands has introduced a new memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the V.I. Casino Control Commission () and the V.I. Health Department ().

Under the MOU, VICCC will be funding training and certification for seven counselors. These counselors will be offering specialised treatment for gambling addiction in St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John districts. Aligning with the US Virgin Island regulations, the initiative allocates one percent of casino revenue to gambling harm prevention and treatment.

VICCC chair and CEO Marvin L. Pickering is optimistic about this initiative. He said, “The signing of this memorandum… emphasises the importance of identifying and assisting individuals and their families facing gambling-related problems.”

Counselors to assist in gambling prevention

According to news outlet Virgin Islands Source, the initiative places focus on community-based counselors, planning to have three each in St. Croix and St. Thomas and one in St. John. These experts are trained to address gambling addiction and related disorders, they provide culturally sensitive and locally relevant support.

The counselors receive certifications and are equipped to aid individuals and families affected by gambling addiction, including suicide prevention strategies, evidence-based treatment approaches, and etiologic predictors and risk factors. They also undergo supervision by board-approved clinical consultants and are awarded certification recognised by the International Gambling Counselor Certification Board.

“It has always been a vision of the commission to have counselors on the ground who understand the culture of our people.”

Pickering believes this collaboration will kickstart a transformative journey for local communities. The new programme is supported by the Department of Health, which would significantly help bolster its reach after the previously unsuccessful attempts to address gambling harm.

Pickering said the MOU is a more formal agreement as it showcases a renewed commitment to gambling harm prevention. The territory’s approach reflects a growing awareness of the requirement for a more localised solutions to prevention of gambling harms, with the region trying to emulate other successful jurisdictions and adapting them to local conditions.