Stop Predatory Gambling

Predatory Gambling Victim Needs Our Help Today

by spgadmin

SPG Foundation Executive Director Les Bernal just returned from visiting Arelia Taveras in a New York jail. Arelia was once a highly-successful attorney who became a gambling addict – in the language of the casinos she was “played to extinction” – and she made national headlines three years ago when she sued the Atlantic City casinos for actively exploiting her addiction. You can watch her 2008 story on ABC News here. She also delivered an unforgettable, must-read speech at the 2008 SPG Conference that you can read here.

Arelia is serving a three-to-nine year sentence in a NY correctional facility for embezzling money to feed her gambling addiction. She has already served almost two years and the NY Parole Board is deliberating the merits of granting her release at this very moment.

We’re asking you to take five minutes today to help make a difference for her by writing a letter supporting her application to the Clemency Bureau. Below is a sample letter. 

Please act today because the Clemency Board may be deciding by early next week. Thank you.

December 13, 2010

Mr. Francis Herman, Executive Director

Executive Clemency Bureau
New York State Division of Parole
97 Central Avenue
Albany, NY 12206

Dear Mr. Herman:

I am writing to respectfully ask that a commutation of sentence be granted to Arelia Taveras, DIN #09G0418. The case of Ms. Taveras qualifies as a compelling and exceptional circumstance. 

There is little public understanding about the enormous impact that extreme forms of commercial gambling are having on citizens across the country. Casinos are the most predatory business in America today, a reality I ask you to please consider as you weigh whether a commutation of sentence for Arelia is in the interest of justice.

According to Wall Street Journal reporter Christina Binkley’s book, “Winner Takes All,’’ commercial casinos make 90 percent of their gambling profits from the financial losses of 10 percent of its visitors…the casual player is irrelevant to their business model. The 10 percent consists of addicted and heavily-indebted citizens. Unfortunately, Arelia Taveras became part of that 10 percent, a reality that has changed the course of her life. 

Casino operators defend their business practices by declaring people like Arelia Taveras possess free will and she should have simply stopped herself. Yet by definition, someone who is an addict has no free will and by every measure, Arelia was a gambling addict.

These same casino operators also say their business is no different than other forms of entertainment. They describe it the same as “drinking wine, going out to a restaurant or going to the movies.”  Yet the owner of the vineyard drinks the wine he makes. The owner of the restaurant eats the food he serves.  The movie actress watches the movies she makes. This is the only product or service where the people who own it and promote it don’t use it. 

Since the beginning of her legal proceedings, Arelia Taveras has taken personal responsibility for all that she has done and for all those she may have hurt. She has paid a painfully severe price for those actions. It is the interest of justice and society she be granted the opportunity to once again become a productive member of the community.

Thank you for your full consideration of this request. 

Sincerely,