Gambling Archive

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For millions of Americans, gambling addiction leads to hopeless pain and misery; for some it leads to death. Gambling-related suicides are an increasingly common phenomena as legalized gambling continues to spread throughout America.

Money is a cruel master

Many people view gambling—and legalized gambling in particular—as little more than harmless personal entertainment. Not everyone agrees, of course. In fact, “governments become addicted to gambling every bit as much as people do,” says one opponent. How big a problem is legalized gambling?
Robyn Page,

In 2006, Congress passed legislation to stop illegal Internet gambling in the U.S. But Representative Barney Frank recently introduced dangerous legislation that would repeal UIGEA (H.R. 5767) and legalize Internet gambling (H.R. 2046). The House Finance Committee defeated H.R. 5767, but Barney Frank and foreign gambling interests are not likely to give up.

Special Session called for July 9-10: General Assembly to consider two gambling-expansion bills - H.B. 1496 and H.B. 2651.

For several years, Kansas' Gov. Sebelius has aggressively pushed for state-owned and -operated gambling. With two years remaining in her term as Governor, Kathleen Sebelius saddled Kansas families with state-owned casinos and a host of gambling-related ills Kansans will bear for years to come.

Dangerous Off-Reservation Gambling Bills Defeated

Congressional Members of the House recently defeated H.R. 2176 and H.R. 4115, two bills proposed by Michigan tribes that could have opened the floodgates for off-reservation gambling.

A growing library of gambling research, testimonies and articles from the experts.

More slots to cloud the Sunshine State in Miami-Dade

When tested against the criteria for sound tax policy, lotteries fail.

Delaware's Lottery and three racinos are pushing to legalize sports gambling, but sports and gambling don't mix.

Alabama's House of Representatives will vote on HB 527, a gambling-expansion measure, soon.

Athletes, universities and businesses pay too high a price gambling on March Madness. 

Several pro-family bills are being considered by the Colorado Legislature; ironically, they relate to gambling.

The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 (H.R. 4411, Leach-Goodlatte) was passed by the House, the Senate and signed by the President on October 13, 2006.

A landmark study appearing in the 2002 June-August issue of Harvard Magazine. Craig Lambert is the deputy editor for Harvard Magazine and author of this landmark article on gambling expansion.
Harvard Magazine

The Abramoff scandal is just the nose of a beast that's invading communities like Gettysburg.
Citizen Magazine

Many people view gambling—and legalized gambling in particular—as little more than harmless personal entertainment. Not everyone agrees, of course. In fact, “governments become addicted to gambling every bit as much as people do,” says one opponent. How big a problem is legalized gambling?
Vision Journal online

Church Initiative, Inc. has created a series of video tapes and accompanying curricula that train churches how to counsel gambling addicts toward recovery. For churches in gambling-dense areas, this video-curriculum series may be a very wise investment.
The Church Initiative

Dr. John M. Eades is a former therapist and is a twenty-year veteran in the field of drug and alcohol addiction treatment, a certified gambling addiction specialist and he currently pastors Shiloh United Methodist Church in Tennessee. Eades shares his personal story about becoming addicted to gambling and how he found the path to recovery. An excellent book for gambling addicts and church members with addicted friends or relatives.
Servant Publications

As a recovering gambling addict himself, Tommy Thompson shares his testimony of how God worked in his life to free him from gambling addiction. He speaks publicly to churches and other groups about the devastating consequences of gambling addiction. His web-site is built to directly communicate with those struggling with gambling addiction. An excellent resource for churches.

In this lively and enlightening social history, New York Times reporter, Timothy O'Brien, combines the story of the games, the unusual places gambling occurs and people who gamble. His motive is to warn readers about the power of one of America's most acceptable addictions.
Times Books

In 1997, PBS Frontline filmed a documentary on the booming U.S. gambling industry. Frontline held an open forum on the issue of gambling, presented opposing views, hosted a series of interviews, reviewed the history of gambling and created a listing of facts and statistics. The documentary is available for viewing online.
Frontline

Read the story of a pastor in Minnesota who fell prey to gambling addiction. Never assume that you cannot become addicted. God has restored Duane, but the healing process is difficult and temptation is never far away.
Evangelical Covenant Church News, 2002

The Assemblies of God denomination is strongly opposed to all forms of gambling. Read their position statement on gambling and view other related articles.

Internet access has opened numerous doors for the elderly and people who rarely leave home. Some doors, such as Internet gambling, are better never opened. Christianity Today magazine and author John Kennedy explore the dangers.
Chritianity Today

A great resource for a group study on God's perspective regarding gambling. Tony Evans offers a bold commentary with biblical references and strong arguments against from a godly perspective.
Moody Press

The United Methodist Church opposes all forms of gambling. Read the UMC position statement related to gambling.

Dr. David A. Yeagley, a published scholar and professor at the University of Oklahoma College of Liberal Studies, attended the National Press Club meeting in Washington, D.C. (5/12/2004) to address the difficult issue of tribal federal recognition and Indian casinos. Being partially Indian himself, Dr. Yeagley feels strongly about the deleterious impact of the gambling industry on the Native American culture in trade for the false promise of easy money.
FontPage Magazine

Gambling lobbyists are spending millions to influence legislation.
Citizen Link

The National Gambling Impact Study Commission (NGISC) Final Report, issued on June 18, 1999, provided the first comprehensive assessment of gambling's effects on the United States in 23 years. The negative impacts of gambling gave rise to a plethora of concerns.
National Gambling Impact Study Commission Final Report, June 1999.

A new Kregel Publications release, Gambling, Don't Bet on It, demonstrates the degree to which gambling can alter a lifestyle, a personality, and in this case, even our eating habits. Author, Dr. Rex M. Rogers, presents the truth about gambling through God's eyes. Extensive research and experience with addicted gamblers qualifies Dr. Rogers to write this definitive resource on gambling - a book well worth reading.

Read clips documenting political contributions from Native American gambling interests. Indian casinos took in about $18 billion in 2004. Much of the tribal casino money goes toward political contributions. Read more.
Casino Watch Website

Two-hundred-twenty-seven tribes operated 420 gaming facilities in 30 states in 2005, according to the Indian Gaming Industry Report by Alan Meister. This article lists all 227 tribes involved with gambling.
The Clarion-Ledger

The Mashantucket Pequot tribe of Connecticut is the richest tribe in America and owns one of the world's largest gambling casino, Foxwoods. Jeff Benedict, an attorney at law, writes an accurate account of this disturbing story.
www.bookreviewssite.com

The former chief financial officer and vice president of an Albuquerque based bank is being held in jail charged with embezzling millions of dollars for gambling. Wright is charged with embezzling more that $5 million dollars from Union Savings Bank and investigators believe it may have been used for online gambling.

By the end of the NCAA Division I tournament, bettors may have illegally gambled more than $2.5 billion, surpassing the Super Bowl, experts say. College gambling is a very significant problem. Read the full article.
Times Union

Ex-Whoopee star Mark Green always presented a pleasant public face, but his addiction to gambling caused led Green to take his own life.
The Telegraph

Christmas 2002: Jack Whittaker won $314 million, the largest undivided lottery jackpot in history; three years later, Jack has lost everything, including his family. Jack Whittaker's big Powerball win cost him — and everyone around him — dearly.
The Washington Post

Rex M. Rogers examines the impact of gambling across our nation and offers a historcal background as well. His research confirms what the NGISC found in 1999.

Studies indicate that 6.4 percent of Nevadans are either pathological or problem gamblers. The dark side of gambling - the urge to risk all again and again - has led to untold numbers of tragic cases like that of the Suarez family.

Goodman asserts that the gambling industry produces no useful product and siphons off money not only from retail businesses but also from manufacturing. He also warns that gambling is not an effective strategy for economic development.
Free Press

Adolescents are the largest and most vulnerable population addicted to gambling.

Financial stewardship is a biblical principal.

Bankruptcies in the United States have reached record levels. Many observers see a substantial association between the spread of legalized gambling and the continuous rise in bankruptcy filings.

Data from gambling communities across the country indicates that gambling does indeed foster a significant increase in crime.

Gambling promoters frequently maintain that there is little, if any, relationship between the availability of gambling and gambling addiction. However, testimony from experts and data from gambling communities indicate otherwise.

Congress Considers Modifying Indian Gambling Law

A tribe wanting to conduct Class III gaming must ask the state to negotiate a compact.

The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988 discusses the procedures for tribal-state compacts regarding Class III Indian gambling (25 USC § 2710).

Costs and Victims

PART THREE: Gambling on reservations and main street. Also: where the money comes from.

The Commission unanimously endorsed a ban on Internet gambling. Much of its rationale for so doing is indicated below.

What Does It Say? What Does It Mean?

Les Bernal, Chief of Staff for Massachusetts Sen. Sue Tucker, gave this speech at the National Conference of Gambling States at Harrah's Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas January 10, 2004.

Gambling: Morally Acceptable?

The Gambling Cartel: building inroads to young Republicans' minds.

"I have never believed that gambling should be the base on which to build our economy." -Gov. Kathleen Blanco, Louisiana

 

How slot machines give gamblers the business.

Video Lottery: more addictive than you think.

Financial stewardship is a biblical principal.

Adolescents are the largest and most vulnerable population addicted to gambling.

Bankruptcies in the United States have reached record levels. Many observers see a substantial association between the spread of legalized gambling and the continuous rise in bankruptcy filings.

Data from gambling communities across the country indicates that gambling fosters a significant increase in crime.

Gambling advocates maintain that present concerns about mob involvement in casinos and other forms of legal gambling are relics of a bygone era.

Gambling promoters frequently maintain that there is little, if any, relationship between the availability of gambling and gambling addiction.

The tragedy of gambling addiction reaches far beyond the more than 15 million Americans who are problem or pathological gamblers.

A history of the lottery from ancient times to modern-day video lotteries.

Lotteries cost more than states bargain for and fall short of promises made.

"We call on members of Congress to place America's citizens and families ahead of the false promises and hefty political contributions of the gambling industry, and to begin to address this rapidly growing menace to our national welfare."

Do's and don'ts for Pastors

Gambling: A good plan to rebuild impoverished tribes? Ask the Indians.

"No one in the history of mankind has ever developed or operated a casino out of a burning desire to improve the lot of humanity." -Chuck Gardner, Former Nevada Deputy Attorney General

The flashing light, glitz, glamour and golden veneer of the gambling industry is paper thin.

Gambling incurs a heavy cost on individuals, families and communities. Economically, its costs outweigh the benefits as well.

Gambling addiction tears families and marriages apart.

A trail of destruction lays in the wake of our states’ seven-decade affair with Lady Luck.

Beyond the Limits of Recreation: Social Costs of Gambling in Southern Nevada is a report that examines the condition of a gambling-dependent state after 70-plus years of being the nation's gambling Mecca. Professors Thompson and Schwer offer a comprehensive report.

Yet one more reason to oppose government-sponsored gambling.

Take action to keep Pennsylvania casino-free!

Focus on the Family opposes all forms of legalized gambling for both moral and pragmatic reasons.

A list of major historical developments that have impacted American Indian law and/or gambling expansion.

Attend a conference addressing gambling in Michigan.

The Gambling Cartel: building inroads to young Republicans' minds.

Particularly alarming is the extent to which Christians approve of traditionally immoral behavior.

"I have never believed that gambling should be the base on which to build our economy." -Gov. Kathleen Blanco, Louisiana

How slot machines give gamblers the business.

Video Lottery: more addictive than you think.