The Baltimore Sun

Dear Editor:

While the American Gaming Association does not take a position on the decisions of individual states regarding the legalization of gambling, we do take issue with the numerous misstatements included in a recent letter to the editor on this topic (‘Gambling may bring many ills to W. Md.,’ Jan. 12).

Rev. Huskins is right that the impact of gambling has been well-documented; however, he’s incorrect about the findings. In fact, the congressionally mandated National Gambling Impact Study Commission in 1999 found that casino gaming yields economic benefits in many communities, creating quality jobs, generating economic development, and reducing unemployment and government assistance. Contrary to his claims, NGISC research found that rates of pathological gambling were no higher in communities within a 50-mile radius of a casino than in areas farther from casinos.

As to the negative impacts Rev. Huskins alleged, the federal panel also concluded in its research that the presence of casinos does not correspond to increases in crime or bankruptcy. Other independent government research documents this case further. Two reports conducted at the request of a prominent gambling opponent in Congress echoed these findings: A report conducted by the General Accounting Office (GAO) failed to find a link between gambling and purported social costs, while a 1999 U.S. Treasury Department study found no link between casino gambling and bankruptcy.

But you don’t need to take our word for it. To get a real perspective on the impact of casinos, it’s instructive to ask those with firsthand experience, such as the mayors of Elgin, Ill.; Gary, Ind., Bettendorf, Iowa; Biloxi, Miss., and countless other gaming jurisdictions, who will undoubtedly credit casinos for enhancements to the community and the improvement of quality of life for their citizens. According to a survey conducted for the AGA by national pollsters Peter Hart and Frank Luntz, 70 percent of residents of casino counties believe that casinos have had a positive impact on their communities. If given the option again, 68 percent said they would vote to keep casinos in their communities.

While Rev. Huskins is certainly entitled to his moral opposition to gambling, he would be advised to do a little research before lobbing broad accusations about the impact of gaming and presenting his moral views as fact.

Sincerely,

Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr.
President and CEO