TIME Magazine
Letter to the Editor
TIME Magazine
Time & Life Building, Rockefeller Center
New York, NY 10020—1393
Dear Editor:
The extent of misleading information in Sam Gwynne’s Nov. 17 article on the casino gaming industry reaches a new level of bias in journalism. The title alone is enough to make one think that the anti—gaming movement is being led by “S.C. Gwynne” himself.
As I stated in my lengthy discussion with Mr. Gwynne, the accusations made by the anti—gaming crusade, and now in your article, about compulsive gamblers are unfounded. In fact, for the last several years, the industry has been very proactive in its efforts to establish programs to prevent, educate and treat problem gambling. The fact is that only a very small number of individuals has a problem with gambling, but it is the industry’s view that one problem gambler is one too many.
Through the efforts of the casino gaming industry, the National Center for Responsible Gaming was established in 1996. Housed on the University of Missouri—Kansas City, the Center is the first—ever nationwide funding source devoted solely to the study of problem and pathological gambling. The Center supports the finest peer—reviewed basic and applied research on problem gambling, encourage the application of new research findings to improve prevention, education and treatment strategies and enhance public awareness of problem and underage gambling. Interestingly enough, none of this important information was mentioned in Mr. Gwynne’s article, even though I meticulously explained this to him in our conversation.
Additionally, it has been brought to my attention that Mr. Gwynne did not contact Station Casinos for comment on his story. The fact that an article was in the works was only discovered by Station because a photographer for Time contacted the casino for permission to take a picture at their St. Charles property. Because of this, Station tracked down Mr. Gwynne to discuss the story and set the record straight about the incidents in question. It is clear that Mr. Gwynne had already decided how the story would read, however, since the article fails to mention the perspective of Station and their view on what occurred. Mr. Gwynne selectively chose to omit any kind of balance to his story, which resulted in the grossly one—sided and extremely misleading story about the casino gaming industry that appeared in your magazine. This kind of reporting seems more characteristic of a tabloid newspaper that takes little pride or responsibility in its method of information gathering.
In regard to the article’s subject matter, I challenge you to find any business today that does not have a marketing plan in place to enhance its business. Casino companies are no different in their efforts to advertise to their customers. Your magazine has somehow turned a normal marketing plan into an elaborate, industry—wide conspiracy against addictive gamblers. It is unfortunate that Time is so easily convinced by anti—gaming forces when it comes to reporting on the industry. Although I always thought it to be an unfair stereotype, I am finally realizing the truth to the criticism often described of some reporters, which now includes at least one reporter from Time — that they are lazy in their search for the facts.
I am highly disappointed in TIME’s deceitful approach to writing this story. Although it is clear that Time has strong negative opinions about the casino gaming industry, to which you are more than entitled, I must remind you that you are not entitled to your own set of facts.
Sincerely,
Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr.
cc: S.C. Gwynne
Frank Fertitta III, President & CEO, Station Casinos, Inc.
Phil Satre, Chairman, Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc.
