Chaplains to be at Australian casinos

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SYDNEY, Aug. 4 (UPI) -- Casinos in the Australian state of New South Wales plan to use chaplains to walk the floor looking for problem gamblers, officials say.

ClubsNSW has enlisted the Salvation Army to provide the chaplains for a yearlong pilot program at one of its largest casinos, The (Sydney) Sunday Telegraph reported. The chaplains there will be wearing Salvation Army uniforms and will talk to people who appear to be compulsive gamblers, offering home visits and counseling services.

Anglican and Catholic groups are to provide help at other casinos.

While ClubsNSW CEO Anthony Ball said the company is aware of the disasters compulsive gambling can cause, state Sen. Nicholas Xenophon suggested the organization is more interested in silencing critics.

"It's an attempt to win respect by associating with such an iconic organization and also to try and gag what has traditionally been a fearless and outspoken organization," he said.