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“I Have a Feeling…I Can’t Quite Pinpoint the Research”

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This April 2011 article from the Philadelphia Citypaper reports on Sands Bethlehem (PA) Casino president Robert DeSalvio testifying before the Pennsylvania Legislature that sending monthly statements to gamblers about their losses will violate privacy and may encourage citizens to gamble more because it will remind them about their loss, potentially creating the urge to chase. When asked what the basis of his claim was, he responded: “I have a feeling…I can’t quite pinpoint the research.”

Casinos spend hundreds of millions of dollars every year to build the very best information databases on their gamblers, allowing them to send all kinds of predatory marketing materials – often in real time – with the specific intent of getting the gambler to chase. DeSalvio’s testimony was willfully dishonest.

Philadelphia Citypaper – Care to Revise Your Statement

Ckirby“I Have a Feeling…I Can’t Quite Pinpoint the Research”
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Hitting Rock Bottom – West Virginia and the Problem Gambling Help Line

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West Virginia recently released some jaw-dropping data about the impact of the failed government policy of predatory gambling in that state. Among the findings was that in one county, one out of every 87 residents has called the 24-hour problem gambling hotline seeking help for themselves or a loved one. What is even more troubling about that finding is only about 10% of problem gamblers seek help at all. That means 90% of the problem gamblers in the county have not called the hotline.

Hitting Rock Bottom – Ohio County Leads State in Calls To Gambling Hotline

CkirbyHitting Rock Bottom – West Virginia and the Problem Gambling Help Line
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Atlantic City Looks To Bus More Homeless Back Home

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When predatory gambling interests come to your town or city, they falsely promise new jobs, revenue, and overall economic prosperity. However, the story below highlights the dark side of the industry. Beyond the glitz and glamor of Atlantic City’s multi-million dollar casinos, hundreds of homeless people are on the street with no place to go.

Atlantic City Looks To Bus More Homeless Back Home

CkirbyAtlantic City Looks To Bus More Homeless Back Home
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Casinos Profit From Under-Reporting Money Laundering

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A CBC News investigation revealed suspected money laundering at the B.C. province’s casinos goes under-reported. “They say they’re being as vigilant as they can, but the conflict of interest is there because these people are flashing the money and ultimately the casino makes money. In a further conflict, provincial governments are both the benefactors and the regulators of casinos.”

Suspected Money Laundering Going Under-Reported

CkirbyCasinos Profit From Under-Reporting Money Laundering
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Money Laundering in Las Vegas

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Despite stricter sanctions that have eliminated some of the criminal activities in Las Vegas, money laundering still persists. According to one IRS agent in Las Vegas: “In a currency intensive industry it’s virtually impossible to eliminate entry points for money laundering. We work hand-in-hand with the casinos.”

Money Laundering Still on Rinse Cycle in Las Vegas Casinos

CkirbyMoney Laundering in Las Vegas
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Poker Bots and Cheaters Make Online Gambling Even More Predatory

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In the summer of 2010, one the world’s leading online predatory gambling companies, PokerStars, refunded $2.1 million to its customers after discovering cheaters colluded to rig games. In another incident, PokerStars paid out another $80,000 to players who had unwittingly been up against poker “bots” – automatic card playing software. These bots are causing people to lose even more money than normal. Click on this link to the story and the podcast from BBC Radio 5. You will need to scroll halfway down the page to obtain the podcast.

Can the World of Online Poker Chase Out the Cheats?

LesPoker Bots and Cheaters Make Online Gambling Even More Predatory
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New York’s Latest Way of Enticing its Citizens to Lose Money

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The latest ad campaign for the New York Lottery consists of the slogan: “Be Ready.” According the New York Times article below, the message of the campaign is that “anyone who plays the instant games…ought to be prepared to win immediately in a moment of instant gratification.”

It Only Takes an Instant, Lottery Ads Declare

CkirbyNew York’s Latest Way of Enticing its Citizens to Lose Money
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North Carolina Lottery Violates its Own State’s Lottery Advertising Laws

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When North Carolina introduced the lottery in 2005, it put in a measure that officials thought would prevent it from exploiting people with gambling addiction. A law was passed forbidding the the agency to advertise the lottery in a way that would entice people to play. However, the North Carolina Lottery has disregarded this law.

What is North Carolina After? Bucks, bucks, bucks!

LesNorth Carolina Lottery Violates its Own State’s Lottery Advertising Laws
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