The Las Vegas Sun

Dear Editor:

Your paper’s decision to run an AP story from Indianapolis that focused almost solely on criticism of the efforts made by Indiana casinos to raise awareness of responsible gaming reflected poorly on your editorial judgment and did nothing to further awareness among your readers of an issue of concern to the local community.

The real story, as it’s been here in Nevada and other states, is that the casino industry is partnering with other gaming industry representatives, including the lottery, as well as state mental health experts and treatment providers, to educate the public about responsible gaming and problem gambling. When it comes to taking serious steps to help people who may have a gambling disorder, gambling opponents are noticeably absent from the table.

For the past four years, the American Gaming Association has been the catalyst for events like those taking place across the country during Responsible Gaming Education Week. This effort stems from a recommendation that came from scientific experts, who told us that public education was one of the ways we could effectively address the problem.

Repeating the uninformed statements made by moral opponents of gambling is counterproductive to the constructive dialogue that has been established to find better ways to prevent and treat gambling disorders.

Sincerely,

Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr.