Quote:
Originally Posted by qdmcg
I think the academic case for gambling is incredibly weak here. I find it very unlikely that increased access to gambling doesn't increase "problem gambling" -- possibly not % of the gambling population who are prone to problem gambling, but by increasing the # of gamblers it likely follows that there are more overall problem gamblers. I have also seen studies that say essentially the opposite of whatever study she is citing.
IMO the strongest case is moral. I.e., leave me the **** alone and stop telling me what I can/can't do.
From the NCPG (National Council on Problem Gambling) web site:
Do casinos, lotteries and other types of gambling “cause” problem gambling?
The cause of a gambling problem is the individual's inability to control the gambling. This may be due in part to a person's genetic tendency to develop addiction, their ability to cope with normal life stress and even their social upbringing and moral attitudes about gambling. The casino or lottery provides the opportunity for the person to gamble.
It does not, in and of itself, create the problem any more than a liquor store would create an alcoholic. (emphasis mine).
Here are the statistics for Utah:
Total Population (as of 2006):
Adults (18+) – 1,758,865 people
Adolescents (14-17) – 162,824 people
Problem Gambling prevalence & Rates:
1% of Adult Population (as of 2006) struggling with Pathological Gambling – 17,589 people
2% of Adult Population (as of 2006) struggling with Problem Gambling – 35,177 people
Total Adult Pathological/Problem Gambling Population – 52,766 people
2% of Adolescent Population (as of 2006) struggling with Pathological Gambling – 3,256 people
4% of Adolescent Population (as of 2006) struggling with Problem Gambling – 6,513 people
Total Adolescent Pathological/Problem Gambling Population – 9,769 people
But wait, there's no gambling in Utah, how can this be? Problem/pathological gamblers are going to gamble. Legal, illegal, above or below ground, they're going to gamble.