As if legalized gambling does not have enough victims, it looks to be grooming another generation of players – today’s children and youth, Guy Clark said.
As if legalized gambling does not have enough
victims, it looks to be grooming another generation of players –
today’s children and youth, Guy Clark said.
And in case one thinks that is exaggeration, check
out current video game titles, noted Clark, chair of the National
Coalition Against Legalized Gambling.
A “Golden Nugget” title features “on-the-go
versions” of games like blackjack, craps, roulette, slots and video
poker. It even allows players to save their games, so they can return
later with accrued balances.
The “Slots” game features more than 40 slot
machines. “This game is so close to the real thing, you’ll think you’re
in Vegas,” its packaging boasts. Meanwhile, “DD Tournament Poker”
selection includes a feature for managing live home poker tournaments.
There are other selections as well – and all are
available at local stores, usually on the children’s aisles. Indeed,
without violence or sexual themes, many of the games are rated “E” –
suitable for ages six or older.
One rated “E” title even notes, “When you’re down on
your luck, visit the ATM, then hit the tables for more action.”
Clark has a problem with that message. “That’s an
unhealthy message to send even to adults, and it’s outrageous to be
teaching it to grade-school children,” he said.
In a coalition newsletter, Clark sharply criticized
stores that are marketing such items to kids. He said some stores even
display remanufactured slot machines between toy trucks and teddy bears.
“To me, these (such items) are the candy cigarettes
of gambling,” Clark insisted. “During the 1950s, research proved (that)
giving sweet candy cigarettes to children increased the likelihood of
those children becoming addicted to tobacco later in life.
“Investigators also found tobacco companies were
directly involved with the confection companies because they knew that
would happen. They loaned the candy companies their looks, names and
logos.
“Now, gambling companies are doing exactly the same thing to entice future addictions,” Clark said.
With their marketing of the items, stores across the
nation are making “virtual casinos of every home in America,” he added.
“They’re profiting from products that train children
to imagine winning and improving their lives through gambling. They are
co-conspirators in setting children up for failure and addictions.”
Clark noted that the federal commission that studied
legalized gambling several years again specifically cited the need for
targeted efforts to curtail youth gambling.
“I don’t think this (current) approach is what the
commission had in mind,” Clark said. “We surely can’t be (saying) six
years old is an appropriate time for children to start learning the
play slot machines.”
Clark cited the need for persons to write the
Federal Trade Commission, the Entertainment Software Rating Board and
major retail outlets, urging action to address the situation. Usually,
contact information for the entities can be accessed online.
“Gambling is a health risk for America’s children, …” Clark stressed.
“We all (must) work harder than ever to keep the
insidious damage of legalized gambling away from our states, our
communities and, now, our children’s toys.”