San Francisco Chronicle

Casinos Helping Gamblers

In his Jan. 11 Open Forum article, “Gambling’s New Teenage Heroes (and Victims),” Burt Dragin is wrong to imply the gaming industry is doing nothing to help problem gamblers. Unlike “big tobacco,” commercial casinos have a long history of developing proactive approaches to promote responsible gaming and get problem gamblers the help they need.

Persons under age 21 are barred from gambling in a casino, and companies have comprehensive programs in place to ensure all players are of legal age. Casinos that are members of the American Gaming Association also have agreed to operate under a strict Code of Conduct for Responsible Gaming, which includes everything from employee assistance and training to alcohol service, advertising and marketing.

The AGA sponsors a number of annual nationwide programs to promote responsible gaming education among employees and patrons. The industry has also put its money where its mouth is – contributing more than $15 million to pathological and youth gambling research through the National Center for Responsible Gaming and other  programs. We want to be part of the solution to gambling addiction.

Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr.
President and CEO
American Gaming Association