Letter: Complex issue of gambling often misunderstood

Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2002 | 9:09 a.m.

On Aug. 6 the Sun published an Associated Press story, "Nevada's casino industry addresses problem gambling," that led with a claim about the prevalence of pathological gambling in Nevada compared to other states. While I recognize it makes for a more intriguing story line, there is, in fact, evidence from the same study -- and another more recent study -- contradicting that claim.

The Nevada prevalence study completed several months ago included two dramatically different sets of estimates for the prevalence of problem and pathological gambling among Nevada adults. If you rely on the number derived from a screen the author herself discredited as a research consultant to the National Gambling Impact Study Commission, about 3.5 out of 100 Nevada adults could be considered current "probable pathological gamblers." The other screen -- based on a more current understanding of the diagnostic criteria for pathological gambling -- determined that three out of 1,000 Nevada adults could be considered current pathological gamblers.

Using this updated screen, the prevalence of pathological gambling in Nevada (0.3 percent) would appear to be on par with or perhaps even lower than national estimates (0.6 percent). Comparing Nevada's rate to other states, a study released earlier this year in Florida using the same updated screen found that the prevalence of pathological gambling there was 0.7 percent -- more than double that found in the Nevada prevalence study.

Whatever the prevalence rates, we recognize as an industry -- and as a community -- that we have an important job in educating employees, customers and the general public to try to prevent future incidences of pathological gambling. At the same time, however, news organizations only perpetuate misinformation when they publish sweeping, undocumented conclusions on very complex topics.

FRANK J. FAHRENKOPF JR. Editor's note: The writer is president of the American Gaming Association.