Players have run more than $60 million through Bangor’s new Hollywood Slots in just two months.

Of that, $23,000 was apparently stolen by a man with a serious gambling addiction before making its way into the gambling machines. At least that’s the story John Ethridge, 40, of Trenton, is telling.

According to a story in the Ellsworth American, Ethridge told police he stole more than $23,000 from his employer, the Somesville One Stop convenience store, to feed his habit. Video evidence from Hollywood Slots shows Ethridge playing high-payout machines.

We’re not going to blame Hollywood Slots for one man’s alleged failings, and it would be nearly impossible for the racino’s operators to determine how gamblers get their hands on the money they wager. But if it can be established that the money lost in the slot machines was stolen, should it be returned to its rightful owner? If an innocent person buys a stolen car, through no fault of his own, he doesn’t get to keep it once the crime is discovered.

Two months into the parlor’s operation and about 2 years since the 2003 election that allowed slot machines at harness racing tracks in the state, nothing has been done to help problem gamblers.

The $60 million that has been wagered at Hollywood Slots has generated an income of more than $4 million, about half of which has gone to the state. Even so, services for addicts haven’t been developed. The only two chapters of Gamblers Anonymous are both in Portland. Everyone else has to rely on a national hot line.

Opponents of slot machines warned that there would be increased crime and more addicts. While those predictions may eventually come true, one extreme example is not enough to end their argument. There can be little doubt, however, that if one man can be pushed to allegedly steal $23,000, others are struggling to contain their addiction without resorting to crime.

As Dennis Bailey, a lead opponent of the slot machines in Maine, wrote to the Sun Journal, “This demonstrates the incredibly addictive power of slot machines. A guy gets his hands on $23,000, cash, and instead of enjoying it – buying a car, a new house, taking a trip – he throws it away on a slot machine.”

The same could be said for people who drink, smoke or shoot up their life savings – addiction can overpower good sense.

The state’s getting the revenue. It’s time to implement a plan that will offer some measure of help to gambling addicts.