Stop Predatory Gambling

The decision to support Go Lobo Loco was loco

by spgadmin

In 2008, the University of New Mexico signed a contract with the Laguna Pueblo casino that called for $2.5 million in support for UNM athletics in exchange for the casino being able to use the UNM Lobos as part of its marketing campaign. Commercials promoting the “Go Lobo Loco/Route 66 Casino” campaign now appear regularly on regional television.

In a column appearing in today’s Albuquerque Journal, Stop Predatory Gambling Chairman Dr. Guy Clark persuasively challenges UNM to end its partnership with the predatory gambling trade. Clark writes: 

“The NCAA sends all participating universities reams of posters, usually placed in the athletic department locker rooms, warning student athletes against gambling. What hypocrisy for UNM to warn their athletes against gambling on one hand and trumpet their partnership with Route 66 Casino on the other.

Slot machines, the principle money-earner of the casino, are predatory addiction machines, programmed to be deceptive and addictive. What business does our principle state university have legitimizing predatory gambling? State universities, as other government agencies, should have the responsibility of promoting the “common good,” not promoting a product that takes advantage of our most vulnerable citizens.

There is a reason why the NCAA and the professional sports leagues do not allow their members to gamble on games: it is because the culture of predatory gambling is corrupt and corrupting.”

Very well said. UNM should take action immediately.