Letter: Gambling habits of parents doom throw-away kids

Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2000 | 10:26 a.m.

The Dec. 6 Sun article, "Parents, not casinos, blamed for growth in gambling addiction among children," was interesting.

The experts agree that parents are responsible for their children's gambling habits.

Quoting psychology professor Richard Evans, "You can't blame an institution when parents don't have control. The answer isn't with the casino, but with family control."

Let's take a closer look at that quote: Las Vegas "locals" casinos have kiddy care centers, movie theaters and video arcades for the children, and gambling for the adults.

That makes the casino a family entertainment center; there are days the casino looks like a family picnic in the park.

As I see it, casino children are America's throw-away kids. The throw-away kids go to mediocre schools, and may not finish high school or go to college.

Gambling Inc. children go to $10,000-a-year private schools and graduate from the finest colleges America has to offer. The finest colleges America has to offer are being paid for by the throw-away kids' parents.

The throw-away kids' parents just aren't smart enough to see the handwriting on the casino wall.

THERESA A. MATAGA