Wednesday, September 3 2003
Gambling has become such a widely accepted form of recreation in the United States that most major religions no longer oppose it in principle, but now treat it as a question of situational ethics. Reverend Tom Grey, a United Methodist minister and executive director of the National Coalition Against Legalized Gambling, explains that the church has played along since the 1960s when financially strapped states began sponsoring lotteries: "Charitable gambling cracked the door and casinos take the door off." According to a study released by the American Gaming Association, 85 percent of Americans approve of gambling either for themselves or others. Nevertheless, Grey is convinced that the trend to embrace gambling will wane and the gambling industry will come under legal attack, much like the tobacco industry. Frank J. Fahrenkopf Jr., president and CEO of the American Gaming Association, feels Grey and other gambling opponents are fighting a losing battle. The only religious group that has managed to make any significant headway against gambling is the Mormons; Utah is one of two states left in the country that doesn't allow gambling. Even so, Fahrenkopf says Mormons make up about 20 percent of the population of Las Vegas and "most of them work in casinos."
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Cultural acceptance of gambling has since become widespread.
Gambling has become such a widely accepted form of recreation in the United States that most major religions no longer oppose it in principle, but now treat it as a question of situational ethics. Reverend Tom Grey, a United Methodist minister and executive director of the National Coalition Against Legalized Gambling, explains that the church has played along since the 1960s when financially strapped states began sponsoring lotteries: "Charitable gambling cracked the door and casinos take the door off." According to a study released by the American Gaming Association, 85 percent of Americans approve of gambling either for themselves or others. Nevertheless, Grey is convinced that the trend to embrace gambling will wane and the gambling industry will come under legal attack, much like the tobacco industry. Frank J. Fahrenkopf Jr., president and CEO of the American Gaming Association, feels Grey and other gambling opponents are fighting a losing battle. The only religious group that has managed to make any significant headway against gambling is the Mormons; Utah is one of two states left in the country that doesn't allow gambling. Even so, Fahrenkopf says Mormons make up about 20 percent of the population of Las Vegas and "most of them work in casinos."
More
Cultural acceptance of gambling has since become widespread.
