U.S. News & World Report

Dear Editor:

Your recent article, “Gambling Addicts Seduced By Growing Casino Accessibility,” by Daniel Bortz, raises an important issue that our businesses take seriously. Indeed, the commercial casino industry believes even one problem gambler is too many, and it devotes significant resources toward promoting responsible play, teaching people the odds, and helping those with gambling problems to get the help they need.

However, it is important to clarify the misconceptions about gambling addictions put forth by anti-gambling activists. The fact is the accessibility of gambling has no impact on the rate of gambling addiction. For decades, independent, peer-reviewed scientific research has demonstrated that despite an increase in casinos and slot machines, the prevalence rate of pathological and problem gambling in the U.S. has stayed consistent, at about 1 percent of the adult population. If more casinos and slot machines cause increased gambling addiction, we would see a corresponding increase in gambling problems with the expansion of casino gambling across the country. But the research clearly shows otherwise.

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