crime

LAS VEGAS, Nev. — A study released today by the American Gaming Association reveals there is no direct link between gaming and crime and that communities with casinos are equally as safe as communities without them. In many areas, according to the study, there has been no increase in crime after casinos are introduced, and in some cases, the number of crimes and crime rates actually decrease.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Results of the most comprehensive examination to date of the impact of casino gaming on white-collar crime “do not support the claim that casino gaming contributes significantly to trends in embezzlement, forgery, and fraud.”

Dear Editor:

Despite its seeming reliance on viable research, the May 31 article, “Gambling and Crime,” creates a link between casinos and crime that simply isn’t there.  The “casinos cause crime” myth has been championed by anti-gaming activists for more than a decade, but their argument fails to hold water upon closer examination of the very “facts” that seem to support it. 

Dear Editor:

While the American Gaming Association (AGA) does not take a position on the issue of gambling expansion, we do find it necessary to address misconceptions about our industry.  On that note, your readers deserve to know that an opinion editorial by Mr. Richard Dawahare, “We Can’t Build Economy on Gambling’s Shifting Sands” (Herald-Leader, May 14), is replete with errors.  So filled with error is Mr. Dawahare’s article that he creates his own reality by using spurious logic and creating facts out of whole cloth.

Dear Editor:

In his August 17 article, Daniel Chang did an admirable job weighing the potential consequences of expanded gambling in Florida. Unfortunately, however, the article perpetuates several common misperceptions.

A number of comprehensive studies conducted by well-respected law enforcement and public service organizations, including the National Institute of Justice, have found no positive correlation between crime and gambling. In fact, data shows that casinos’ robust security programs may even discourage neighborhood crime.

Dear Editor:

Though the Casino Association of Indiana does not take a position on gambling expansion, your readers should know that Russ Pulliam’s opinion piece, “Resisting gambling’s lure” (April 17), makes a case built on bad information.

Dear Editor:

Though the American Gaming Association does not take a position on expanded gambling, we would like to respond to the baseless claims made in the June 8 editorial, “Too big a gamble for Pennsylvania.”

Dear Editor:

I was disappointed to read Jack Markowitz’s sensational June 21 opinion piece, “Officials don’t see monster rising from The Rivers.”

Though casinos are new to Pittsburgh, gaming has been legal in Pennsylvania for nearly five years. During that time, critics’ fears that casinos will compound social problems have never been realized. Police reports from the state’s gaming communities document virtually no increase in local crime rates. In addition, the rate of gambling disorders has not increased with the advent of Pennsylvania’s casinos.

To the Editor:

I was disappointed that The New York Times provided anti-gaming activist Jon Kindt with a platform in Thursday’s article, “Recession Cuts Into States’ Gambling Revenues.”

Kindt’s gaming research is clearly colored by his personal bias, and it is routinely criticized by noted experts in the field. It is unfortunate that The New York Times offered him an opportunity to spread his vitriolic propaganda.