Tampa Tribune

Dear Editor:

The Tribune’s recent editorial, “Don’t sell Florida’s soul” (Jan. 30), was irresponsible in its biased presentation of the potential impacts of casino gambling. While the American Gaming Association doesn’t take a position on expansion, it’s important to note that casinos in states such as Iowa, Indiana and many others don’t bring with them the scourge this article contends, but in fact, are valued employers, economic stimulators and strong community partners.  

It’s easy to scare people with claims that casinos prey on the vulnerable, but the facts don’t back up the rhetoric. Research shows 99 percent of all adults can gamble in casinos without negative consequences.

Still, the industry has long acknowledged that 1 percent of the adult population simply cannot gamble responsibly. So we’ve implemented responsible gaming programs across the country – including advertising the availability of help lines – and contributed millions of dollars to fund independent, peer-reviewed research on gambling disorders. We don’t want problem gamblers at our casinos – period.

Sincerely,

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