No doubt where the religious right stands on this:
“… the epidemic of gambling activity that has now penetrated every corner of American culture.”
“…the number of adults and adolescents who suffer from problem or pathological gambling is rising.”
“Clearly, gambling is a destroyer that ruins lives and wrecks families.”
“… a direct link between problem and pathological gambling and divorce, child abuse, domestic violence, bankruptcy, crime and suicide.”
“More than 15.4 million adults and adolescents meet the technical criteria of those disorders.”
“Today, the silence of most of our leaders about the risks of gambling is deafening. It is well past time for a Paul Revere to sound the alarm. Gambling is hazardous to your – to our – health!”
“There can be no doubt from the evidence that gambling – like many compulsive behaviors – is addictive and progressive in nature.”
“It is especially dangerous to the young, who are enticed by exciting and risky behaviors.”
“…the gambling industry and its allies in government work together to cultivate betting habits in the next generation.”
“We must reject the fantasy that wagering is innocuous entertainment and deal earnestly with the destruction and pain that it causes to individuals, families and society.”
For the record, I think this stuff is largely nuts. But then I’m not the one closely allied to these fanatics.
The Dish 