New York Times

Dear Editor:

We were pleased to see that writer Clyde Haberman shed light on the important issue of gambling addiction in the recent story “An Ex-Gambler Weighs the Cost of Addiction.” This is an issue the commercial gaming industry takes seriously—and it’s understandable that a discussion of gambling expansion would lead to increased discussion of gambling addiction. However, it’s important to note that an in-depth, peer-reviewed study completed recently at the University of Iowa reaffirms what research by Harvard Medical School and other institutions has shown clearly over four decades: despite the dramatic increase in casinos over the years, the rate of disordered gambling has stayed consistently at 1 percent of the population. If more casinos led to more problem gambling, this simply wouldn’t be the case.

Having said that, even one problem gambler is too many. This is why our industry spends millions to promote responsible play, teach people the odds, and help those with gambling problems to get the help they need.

Sincerely,
Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr.
President & CEO
American Gaming Association