The president of Atlantic Lottery Corp. says it's a myth to say government-licensed gambling increases addiction. This according to an article posted on the CBC St. John's (Canada) website.
"Regulated gaming does not drive prevalence. at all," says Michelle Carinci, who spoke to a St. John's business gathering Wednesday.
Carinci continues in the article, "There is absolutely no evidence and no statistics to support the fact that regulated gaming drives problem gambling. "
Ms. Carinci's position is that there is a prevalance of a certain segment of society to be compulsive gamblers. I agree. But, the fault in her argument is that increasing access to avenues of gambling do not increase the "activeness" of that population segment.
I am a case in point here. Yes, I am a compulsive gambler. Probably always have been. But, somehow I managed to make it almost 40 years of my life without ENGAGING in my addiction. Once the availability of legalized gambling arrived in my state, off I went! Additionally, I have met many people that I am sure might never have even placed a bet had the casinos not been opened. I mean I know an 85 year old lady who had never gambled in her life. Within two years she had lost everything she worked for. I find it unlikely that had the casino not been within a 30 minute drive for her, she would have done the same thing.
Remember, I am NOT anti-gambling. I agree with Ms. Carinci that what needs to happen is to make treatment available for those of us with the problem. But, for that to happen, some in the gaming industry need to at least ACKNOWLEDGE the fact that availability increases activity.
John
P.S. - As a side note, this point was only one in the article. The main focus was whether the Canadian government was going to allow electronic KENO machines in retail locations and bars.
No comments:
Post a Comment