Compulsive gambling addiction is considered to be on the same level as drug addiction and alcoholism.

And according to Shadow Environment Minister Gary Pitman, Government's relaxed laws concerning gaming machines in Bermuda could trigger a rise in gambling addiction here.

Mr. Pitman told The Royal Gazette late last week he was on a mission to push for stiffer and swifter legislation regarding gaming machines because it had already raised concerns of addiction.

He said it did not help matters that people had easy access to gaming machines throughout the Island.

"My constituents are very concerned about it,'' Mr. Pitman said. "I've been approached by people who have told me that addiction is taking place.

"I am aware of a situation where a woman is in debt because she spends all her money playing these machines,'' he said. "She is an upstanding citizen, but the machines have gotten to her and she owes money all over the place.'' Mr. Pitman added: "She frequents the establishments including Mr. Inchcup's place and now she is a victim under financial stress.'' Businessman Neil Inchcup has opened a private club called Seamont Exclusive on Collector's Hill in Smith's which offers the gaming machines.

Mr. Pitman said the woman's situation was a problem that was happening in his constituency, Pembroke West, and warned that it was happening in other areas around the Island also.

He said he believed the community needed to recognise the potential seriousness of the problem.

"It crosses all the spectrums and it's becoming a serious problem,'' he said.

"Bermudians want to play in the fast lane and the price is going to be paid.

I've sat and looked at people playing those machines and it's like they are in a trance.'' Mr. Pitman said he believed that gaming machines crossed the line of being entertainment when players would do anything to obtain money to play.

He noted that he has been made aware of several cases where people were turning into "quiet thieves'' and had stolen money to support their addiction to the machines.

He stressed that not only was it a social concern, but a health concern also.

"Playing these machines rushes the adrenalin flow and creates chemical changes in the body like heroin,'' Mr. Pitman said. "It's so sad to see.'' According to clinical sources, compulsive gambling is defined as a treatable psychiatric disorder. If left unchecked, it can quickly lead to crime, the destruction of personal and family relationships and even mental breakdown.

Unlike substance abuse, compulsive gambling is easy to hide until well into the advanced stages.

When pathological gamblers gamble, they are in a chemical psychoactive high and the moment the gambling is over, they slip into a chemical psychoactive low likened to a depression.

Despite the 1999 legislation that banned any new gaming machines and their spare parts from entering Bermuda, Mr. Pitman said he believed that the machines would not be easily phased out.

"Realistically, they will not run their course,'' he said. "They will be here for years and years to come.'' He stressed that Government should look at the situation closely and tax the machines or the businesses that operate them and use the money to go into treatment programmes for potential gambling addicts.

"We need to regulate this as soon as possible,'' he said. "They are going down the tubes with this legislation.'' Mr. Pitman continued: "If they are going to allow these machines to stay then yes, they should be taxed. They should not be allowed to operate without being taxed. The people running these things have a monopoly.

"There are grey areas in the legislation. If the Department of Public Prosecutions can't go at them, then close the loop holes so they can.''