The times (and projects) they are a changin'

The derby is still a go, but probably an exterior project I’ll follow for backup.

Refocus.

My subject is a compulsive gambler. In 2008, she lost over $60,000 in 6 months, or just under 1.5 times her yearly salary. Her bankruptcy became final on March 1, 2010, one year after she blacklisted herself from Missouri casinos.

Senate Bill 902 (effective August 28, 2000) allows up to one cent of the state’s portion of the [casino] admission fee to be allocated to the Compulsive Gamblers Fund. This fund is used for treatment services, as well as prevention and education programs. It funds the ongoing (and intense) treatment my subject needs to stay clean.

Missouri Governor Nixon recently proposed cuts to the problem gambling treatment funds. I have heard that the Missouri House of Representatives agreed with these cuts.

Additionally, Pinnacle-owned River City Casino opened it’s doors to St. Louis today. The 1904 World’s Fair-themed complex located in South St. Louis County, was built 4/10 of a mile from Harris House, the 28-day rehabilitation center my subject called home during early recovery.

In another interesting twist: March 7 through 13 is National Problem Gambling Awareness Week.

This week, I did a preliminary audio interview with my subject to flesh out the story and I have a second interview planned for Saturday. Next week, I’d like to focus heavily on my research. I hope to set up an interview with Daniel Smith, my subject’s Gambling Councilor (paid for by the Compulsive Gamblers Fund) and read up on Governor Nixon’s proposal. Production-wise, I’d like to bring video to the project, although equipment availability is crucial. Failing video, I remain armed with a camera.