Toronto Board of Health has released a new report that explains, in part, that “problem gambling is a significant public health concern … impacting upwards of 11,000 people aged 18+ in the greater Toronto area.” This disturbing statistic is among many that the Board finds, as the seriousness of problem gambling grows as casinos and online gambling expand.
California Lottery provides 1% of education funding
Despite the promises from gambling promoters it would fund public education if passed, this Los Angeles Times story reveals the California Lottery provides only 1.3% of the state’s entire education budget. This shows, once again, that the claims casino supporters routinely trot out are unsubstantiated and are proven falsehoods.
California Lottery funding generally makes up 1.3% of the state education budget
Exploiting the Neuroscience of Internet Addiction
In this article the relationship between neuroscience and internet gambling is explained. The article delineates how much of what we do online releases dopamine into the brain’s pleasure centers, resulting in obsessive pleasure-seeking behavior. Technology companies face the option to exploit our addictions for profit.
Niagara Falls has not seen the spinoff development promised from city casino
Officials in Niagara Falls, New York are preparing to mark the 10th anniversary of the casino, which opened with much anticipation and rave reviews on New Year’s Eve 2002. Casino proponents at the time said the casino marked a new era in the development of Niagara Falls. Yet after ten years, the spinoff development that some anticipated has yet to develop on a large scale, and some downtown business owners, including developer Carl P. Paladino, say the company enjoys unfair advantages by not paying taxes on its properties.
Casino bets that it’s time for change
Louisiana State Government Has a Self-Inflicted Epidemic of Gambling Addiction
According to the Louisiana Association on Compulsive Gambling, about 4.4 percent of adults over 21 in Louisiana, or as many as 159,000 people, demonstrate problematic or pathological gambling. The problem is even worse among young adults. About 14.3 percent of adults between 18 and 21 have problematic or pathological gambling issues. That’s as many as 23,000 people.
How a magic carpet ride became a slot machine game
Chicago-based WMS have created a slot machine that provides a ride-like experience for users. The idea behind this new wave of slot machine was that once you experience it, you will keep playing, reaching into your pocket, and putting in money to try to win this ride. Aladdin, being magical, was a seemingly perfect fit for the empty but enticing nature of slots.
Facebook ‘creating a generation of gambling addicts because of site’s Las Vegas style games’
Facebook has been accused of turning youngsters into gambling addicts with an explosion of Las Vegas-style casino games on the social networking site. Children are using ‘virtual coins’ to simulate the thrill of hitting the jackpot with slot machine and roulette games on their home computers and mobile phones. Zynga, which accounts for 12 per cent of all Facebook’s revenues due to its popular games such as FarmVille, launched Zynga Slots in the UK last month. Although these games are free, addiction experts have warned the games encourage teenagers to think gambling is harmless fun.
Facebook ‘creating a generation of gambling addicts because of site’s Las Vegas style games’
Ralph Nader on why casinos are the wrong direction for America
The nation’s most respected consumer advocate, Ralph Nader, speaks powerfully about how government-sanctioned gambling lowers our standard of living and exploits and defrauds citizens.
Maryland faces millions in costs after paying more for slot devices than expected
When Maryland voted to legalize slot machines, officials opted to acquire the games of chance themselves so that the state would be responsible for the integrity of the gambling. This however is causing more problems than expected. Maryland, being one of the few states where slot machines are purchased by the state, is now facing tens of millions of dollars in costs that will cut into proceeds for years to come.
Maryland faces millions in costs after paying more for slot devices than expected
Lotteries seeking ways to sell lottery tickets at ATM machines
State lotteries are constantly looking for new ways to get citizens to lose more money more frequently. Below is a Request for Proposals issued by the Minnesota Lottery to review methods to sell lottery tickets at ATM machines.
Lotteries seeking ways to sell lottery tickets at ATM machines