Student post down below:
Heat (2017) says a stakeholder can be anyone who is affected by a given problem. A group of professionals that are stakeholders in the complex community problem of addiction are the casino executives. Working in a casino environment can distort your perception about wining and losing. Blackwell (2001) had research that said casino staff are more multiple times more likely to become pathological gamblers then the general populations. They also have a much higher rate of alcoholism and smoking addiction. In Canada, casinos are required to have problem gambling addiction counseling offices inside the casino themselves. (Sacheli, 2013).
Heat (2017) says it’s important to understand how each stakeholder perceives a particular problem. While casino executives are relevant stakeholders in the addiction crisis, it is important to note how they view gambling overall within the context of their business model. Their ideas to combat problem gambling may be totally different than another professional stakeholder such as the Nevada Council of Problem Gambling (NCPG). Heat (2017) describes this as a constituency paradox in the collaboration. These two stakeholders are “at odds with the needs of another.” (p.56). The casino executives recognize problem gambling as an addiction but still want to promote gambling. NCPG wants to abolish some forms of gambling and advocates for the casinos to change business practices such as mobile ATM’s at blackjack tables. Each organization has different needs and wants to protect their constituencies interest. (Heat, 2017).
Another agency stakeholder in the addiction problem is the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services. They provide funding to various treatment centers that serve addicts. The agency also has an advocacy department that will provide education and prevention materials to local schools.