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June 18, 1999
Web posted at: 11:31 a.m. EDT (1531 GMT)

In this story: Gambling 'epidemic' Recommendations RELATED STORIES, SITES

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A study of America's gambling habit released Friday urges lawmakers to slow the rapid expansion of state lotteries, stiffen regulation on Native American gaming and close loopholes in current gaming laws.

The National Gambling Impact Study -- with 76 recommendations -- is the work of a nine-member commission, an ideologically diverse group whose members include a casino executive and an anti-gambling social commentator.

None of the recommendations would take effect without changes to federal, state or local laws.

The 200-page report is being formally submitted to Congress, the White House, state governors and tribal governments.

Gambling 'epidemic'

A chief concern of the report is that millions of Americans cannot control their gambling, and compulsion may be leading to higher crime, bankruptcies, domestic abuse and suicides.

"Often families are devastated, it undermines the work ethic and it ultimately destroys those who become addicted," said commission member James Dobson, president of Focus on the Family.

America is in the grips of a gambling "epidemic," Dobson told CNN.

"Fifty years ago, the entire culture knew -- not just conservatives, but everybody knew -- that gambling was dangerous ... and we've forgotten that," he said. "We think of it now as just harmless entertainment."

Dobson estimated more than 15 million Americans "are problem or pathological gamblers, and that's associated with divorce, suicide, bankruptcies, child abuse, spouse abuse and homelessness."

Recommendations

Dobson says gambling "undermines the work ethic"

Another commission member, casino executive J. Terrence Lanni, agreed that the United States has a "significant number" of gambling addicts.

"What we really need to do is to have more research to determine what level of problem pathological gambling exists, said Lanni, the chairman and chief executive officer of Las Vegas-based MGM Grand Inc.

The FBI does not collect statistics on gambling-related crime. Estimates of compulsive and addicted gamblers vary widely. Several studies claim between 1 percent and 25 percent of all gamblers have a problem controlling their losses.

"I'm very much committed to seeing legislation come forth that would help us understand (gambling addiction)," Lanni said.

Among the recommendations in the commission's 200-page report:

A moratorium on new lotteries and casinos

1 percent tax on legal gambling proceeds

Lanni calls for more research into the problem of pathological gambling

Warning signs posted at gambling facilities

A nationwide minimum age of 21 to place bets

A ban on betting on collegiate sports Restrictions on campaign donations by the gambling industry

Removal of ATMs from casino floors

A reduction in state lottery advertising

Ban on Internet gambling

Prevent credit card companies from collecting Internet gambling debts

Prohibit wire transfers to pass money to an Internet gambling site

Closer monitoring of casinos on Indian reservations

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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