As the state of Massachusetts considers expanding gambling possibilities, authorities seek ways of protecting gamblers. Promoting safe gambling and establishing prevention programs are some of the options currently being considered.

Until now, lottery and horse races were the allowed forms of gambling. Those looking for other forms of gambling would find them in Rhode Island or Connecticut. In order to keep revenues in the state, the authorization of casino gambling, slot machines and racetracks is being considered.

Surveys by the Harvard Medical School show that 6 percent of the population has trouble with gambling sometime in their lives and 4 percent had trouble to control gambling urges last year. These numbers should be taken into consideration if gambling facilities are expanded in the state.

Kathleen Scanlan, executive director of the state’s Compulsive Gambling Council, said a percentage of revenues should be used to help compulsive gamblers, train casino employees to recognize problem gambling, offer education materials at gambling facilities and install a statewide self exclusion list for admitted compulsive gamblers.