The Costs

Gaming industry not beneficial to everyone

Published: August 19, 2012


In response to David Qualls (Point of View, Aug. 11): Tribal gaming creating jobs and boosting revenue is fine as far as it goes. The financial benefit of gaming to tribes in Oklahoma and elsewhere isn't in dispute. Qualls didn't mention the serious harm that gambling causes to individuals, families and ultimately society. As with alcohol and drugs, gambling can become an addiction for certain individuals.
An addiction is the inability to say no to certain types of behavior. Since gambling was legalized in Oklahoma, attendance at 12-step Gamblers Anonymous meetings has skyrocketed. The Oklahoman regularly reports on previously well-regarded citizens whose gambling addictions destroyed their lives. The most recent was a former FBI agent who resorted to theft of government funds to finance his gambling habit.

One can only wonder how many lives and families in Oklahoma have been destroyed as a result of gambling. Gambling addicts also have an extremely high incidence of suicide. This is the other side of the tribal gaming coin, one that shouldn't be overlooked when speaking of the “benefits” of tribal gaming.

Ron Burkard, Oklahoma City


Read more: http://newsok.com/gaming-industry-not-beneficial-to-everyone/article/3701715#ixzz240TUA9O1


The above letter-to-the-editor reminds of some of the statistics from Oklahoma, one of the few states the put $$$$ on the cost of Gambling Addiction --


11,000 problem gamblers banned from Oklahoma casinos

"It's like crack cocaine but more extreme for some," Cizek said. "You can't do $15,000 in cocaine in one day but a compulsive gambler can spend that much and more in one day."
Cizek said there are two basic types of compulsive gamblers: The action gambler who goes for the rush similar to cocaine and the escape gambler whose brain mimics the soothing high of an opiate.

"When a gambler crashes after a binge, he is 20 percent more likely to attempt suicide than others and more likely to succeed," Cizek said.

From: Oklahoma: $7 billion annual cost of Gambling Addiction


$7 billion — Last year's estimated social cost to families and communities from gambling-related bankruptcy, divorce, crime and job loss.

48 percent — Gamblers Anonymous members who considered suicide.

57 percent — Gamblers Anonymous members who admitted stealing to finance their gambling.

100 percent — The presence of a gambling facility within 50 miles roughly doubles the prevalence of problem and pathological gamblers.

There are about 36 articles about Oklahoma HERE. At the bottom, click "Older Posts" to see additional.