Eight years ago, when the legislature approved casinos in the Bay State, opponents worried that more opportunities to gamble would be difficult for people with compulsive gambling habits. Everett’s Encore Boston Harbor resort is now set to open in just under two months. It’s the state's third casino, with more to come. How is this impacting people addicted to gambling? Do more casinos put others at risk of developing gambling addictions?

Guests:

Dr. Debi LaPlante - Director of Cambridge Health Alliance’s Division on Addiction

Marlene Warner - Executive Director of Massachusetts Council on Compulsive Gambling

Ed Talbot - Executive Director of the New Hampshire Council on Problem Gambling

If you or someone you know is struggling with a gambling addiction, a 24/7 help line and a list of other resources can be found at the Massachusetts Council on Compulsive Gambling's Get Help page:

https://masscompulsivegambling.org/get-help/

For listeners outside of Massachusett, National Problem Gambling Helpline:

https://www.ncpgambling.org/help-treatment/national-helpline-1-800-522-4700/

Later in the show…

Every family has an origin story. But chances are you haven’t seen one like playwright Qui Nguyen’s. Inspired by the lives of his parents who met in an Arkansas refugee camp after the fall of Saigon, Nguyen’s rap-infused romantic comedy "Vietgone" is an unexpected recounting of the realities faced by the Vietnamese refugees who came to the U.S. to make a new start.

Guests:

Michelle Aguillon — Director of Company One Theatre’s production of "Vietgone."

Quentin Nguyen-duy — Actor with Company One Theatre, playing the role of Quang in "Vietgone."