Colleagues in the Louisiana Legislature had been amazed to pay attention. Sen. Karen Carter Peterson, D-New Orleans, has struggled with a playing dependency. However, they also stated they do not suppose it has affected her capability to oversee gambling payments The Times-Picayune file image). Members of the Louisiana Senate said Saturday (March 23) they had been surprised to research Sen. Karen Carter Peterson, D-New Orleans, who has been suffering from playing for years; however, they don’t have any motive to believe her addiction has compromised her service as an elected reputable in the Legislature.

On the contrary, Senate leaders said they were hoping Peterson would hold to serve on the Judiciary B Committee, which oversees supreme law associated with gambling and casinos, except she doesn’t feel cozy doing so. Senate President John Alario, R-Westwego, said her non-public struggles might virtually make her a more celebrated valuable member of the committee. It offers her a perspective that other members don’t have. “I didn’t see anything there that brought on me any situation,” stated Alario, who has the electricity to do away with Peterson from committees and leadership positions if he goals.

Four of the six senators who serve on that committee with Peterson have been additionally interviewed Saturday and additionally said they weren’t involved approximately decisions Peterson had made concerning casinos or playing. Peterson, who is also the head of the Louisiana Democratic Party, has served inside the Legislature for two decades – first as a House member after a country senator. She is looking for reelection q4. “Karen is an expert. I’ve been understanding her a long time and consider her judgment about what she will be able to and might do,” said Sen. Gary Smith, D-Norco, who is the chairman of the Judiciary B Committee. “I’ve served along with her on Jud(scary) B for years, and I’ve never visible a hassle,” stated Sen. J.P. Morrell, D-New Orleans, who became chairman of the committee earlier than Smith.

None of the legislators interviewed, consisting of individuals who don’t forget Peterson, a close pal, said they have been conscious she become grappling with a playing hassle till she publicly disclosed it in a written announcement Friday night. Peterson found out that she suffered from compulsive playing rapidly after a tv station pronounced that country police had eliminated her from a Baton Rouge casino in February. She did now not respond to requests for an interview Saturday.

The New Orleans legislator obtained a misdemeanor citation on Feb. 27 from Louisiana State Police for remaining after being forbidden at L’auberge Casino and Hotel Baton Rouge, in step with a WWL-TV report. Peterson said in her written announcement that she received the summons because she enrolled in voluntary national program years in the past supposed to help people with gambling addictions live clear of gambling institutions. The application required Peterson to reveal up in person at one of the five-nation police playing enforcement offices and fill out office work asking that she no longer be allowed to enter casinos and gambling establishments for a minimum of five years. Under this system regulations, Peterson agreed that kingdom police could cite her with a misdemeanor if determined in an online casino, an offense that could come with an exceptional or prison time.

Casino operators are also obligated to eject every person enrolled inside the program right now from their established order if they’re determined on their premises. If they don’t, they face stiff fines in keeping with rules followed by using the gaming manipulate board. The ban covers casinos regulated with the aid of the country, however no longer those run by Native American tribes. “Recently, while experiencing hard instances, I violated my voluntary ban and became issued a summons. The software worked because it must,” Peterson said.

Wita hout doubts, remorse failing to uphold my settlement to avoid casinos. I knew this become a vulnerability once I signed up for this voluntary program due to the fact relapses are on occasion part of the disease.” Officials said people typically join up for the restriction on the behest of a partner or member of the family who’s worried their gambling is out of control. However, it’s doubtful what pushed Peterson to enroll herself. The listing of the humans enrolled in the program is supposed to be private.

Only the national police, country gaming manipulate board participants, and some team of workers at state casinos is speculated to recognize who’s on it, in line with policies followed with the aid of the gaming control board. The summons issued to Peterson is a public document. Still, the legislator said Friday night time that she believes a person who has to get entry to the private listing of people in her government-run treatment program leaked her call to the media. Several kingdom senators expressed a similar fear Saturday.