Philadelphia Inquirer

Dear Editor:

While the American Gaming Association does not take a position on debates concerning gambling expansion, we do respond to inaccuracies about our industry in the media, and there are many in Robert Goodman’s April 28 op-ed “Don’t Bet on Gambling Windfall.”

A widely recognized and longtime gambling opponent, Goodman disregards findings of the National Gambling Impact Study Commission (NGISC) that directly contradict his views. Contrary to Goodman’s blanket statement, results of a commission survey showed that there is no significant correlation between pathological gambling prevalence rates and proximity to casinos.

Despite a notable increase in gambling opportunities, prevalence rates have not changed considerably. According to commission research, U.S. prevalence rates among adults were 0.6 percent in 1999, while a 1976 federal commission estimated levels at 0.77 percent.  The 1999 commission also reported that monetary costs of pathological gambling are a small fraction of Goodman’s “conservative estimate.” In addition, the research found that the presence of casinos does not correspond with increases in crime or bankruptcy.

While Goodman has every right to voice his position on gambling, as former U.S. Sen. Pat Moynihan once said: “Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but not to their own set of facts.”

Sincerely,

Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr.
President and CEO