Subject To Hyperbole?
2007-09-26 16:38:23
By:
Gene Bromberg
Those who seek to ban online gambling have long cited studies and statistics that show how rates of gambling addiction sharply increase among those who play on the Internet. As I've
written previously, those studies and statistics are often twisted in ways that would make a Cirque du Soleil performer squeal in agony.
Well,
yesterday comes news from across the pond showing that online gaming might not be as damaging as we were led to believe. A study conducted by Britain's Gambling Commission shows that the number of people who gamble there has decreased since 1999--despite the expanding influence of the Internet. In addition, the study showed that 99.4% of those who gambled "did so harmlessly".
I think that percentage bears repeating--
99.4. Those are Ivory Soap-like numbers. And before you think that the Gambling Commission came in with a bias in favor of online gaming, that's not the case:
"(Commission Chairman Peter) Dean said they had been expecting an increase in the number of gamblers, and the amount of problem gambling.
"It was something of a surprise, and a relief too," he told the BBC.
Dean also said the following:
"There are a significant number of people who do gamble online, we've been tracking those, but as I say the overall result is there is no increase at all in problem gambling since the last survey."
Now, to be fair, when we say that only .06 of gamblers may have a problem, that's still a lot of people. In the UK alone that number comes to 250,000. The study also reported that, broadly speaking, more respondents had a negative view of gambling than positive and that on average respondents felt that gambling should not be encouraged. But, on average, the respondents didn't think there should be a ban on gambling.
Banning an activity that can be enjoyed by 99.4% of the population is a gross overreaction. Especially as those most at risk would be the ones most determined to get around those restrictions, putting them at further risk of being exploited by unscrupulous or criminal operators. A system where gambling establishments, government and support groups work together to identify and aid those suffering from a gambling addiction would not only be more beneficial to those with a problem, but would allow the vast majority of people to enjoy a pleasurable activity. Prohibition doesn't work. Sticking your head in the sand and pretending a problem isn't there doesn't work either. Examining the facts and making reasonable decisions based on those facts...why don't we try that for a change?
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