disordered gambling

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The American Gaming Association (AGA) called a Harvard Medical School study released today estimating the national prevalence of disordered gambling an “important step toward bringing reasoned dialogue” to discussions about gambling disorders.

WASHINGTON— The American Gaming Association (AGA) today released the third white paper in its 10th Anniversary Research Series, focusing on the impact of the industry’s collaborative responsible gaming initiatives as seen through the eyes of prominent figures throughout the gaming industry and scientific research and treatment communities.

WASHINGTON — A new white paper released today by the American Gaming Association (AGA) examines why little progress has been made in researchers’ ability to adequately identify and measure the potential costs of legalized gambling and strives to provide researchers and policymakers with an understanding of the basic problems inherent in measuring the social costs of gambling.  The white paper, “Challenges that Confront Researchers on Estimating the Social Costs of Gambling,” is the latest release in the AGA’s 10^th anniversary white paper series.

The Sun’s March 8 article, “Problem gambling worse than thought: figures are bad news for the gaming industry,” gets it wrong right from the start.  Contrary to the dire tone of the headline, the concept that there is a small percentage of gamblers who suffer from “problem” gambling but are not pathological is nothing new.  In fact, the 1997 meta-analysis by Dr. Howard Shaffer cited in the piece discusses this fact at length.  But determining a prevalence rate for “problem” gambling is a tricky business, and the scientific community has yet to agree on just what is the right number.

To the Editor:

Editorial: Gambling Is Never Enough (May 10, 2008) Re “Gambling Is Never Enough” (editorial, May 10):

In arguing against expanding gambling in New York, you acknowledge that a “minority of players” are problem gamblers. You then oppose increasing gaming availability, in part because you fear increased availability will increase the problem.

That is not the case. Despite the opening of hundreds of new casinos across the country in recent years, the prevalence of pathological gambling has not increased.

Dear Editor:

While the American Gaming Association does not take a position on local gaming issues, we do make a point to correct the record when inaccurate information is presented. In her Aug. 7 column, Elizabeth Marsh Cupino included a few such inaccuracies while reflecting on the pending referendum on casino gaming in Maryland.

Dear Editor,

Compliments on the articles you recently published on gambling. It is in the public’s interest to know there is a small percentage of individuals who cannot gamble responsibly; however, your reporters have fallen prey to a common misperception and some very bad statistics.

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:

As the parent company of Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course, one of seven casinos currently operating in Pennsylvania, we were disappointed to read your recent anti-gaming editorial, “Gambling revenues come at high price” (Feb. 13). 

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.