There are no ghosts in slot machines: The importance of critical thinking in preventing and treating gambling addiction

by Hal Brown, LICSW, Clinical social worker and psychotherapist

NEW 7/3/08 I don't know how many gamblers are superstitious, but I presume that like most people they may have a number of beliefs that don't stand up to rigorous scientific analysis and some of them may be an aspect of their gambling behavior. Many gamblers game of choice, though hardly a game since there's no skill involved, is the slot machine. Slots, like roulette, is a pure game of chance. If you win, you're simply lucky. Unlike other casino games where a certain degree of skill or knowledge of the game, blackjack for example, can increase your odds, winning is a random event. CONTINUED

Press release on 6/26 Wampanoag Mashpee career day

Events: Mashpee Wampanoag Pow-Wow

7/1/08 The 2008 Pow-Wow will be held on the grounds of the Mashpee Wampanoag Meeting House (483 Great Neck Road South, Mashpee MAP) on July 4, 5 and 6.

You will be taken back hundreds of years as dancers of all ages wearing traditional garb loose themselves in the rhythms of their ancestors. You'll have to check with the tribe for the dates and times of the fireball ceremony and the selection of the Pow-Wow Princess: (508/477-0208).

While the Mashpee Wampanoag Pow-Wow, first held in1924, is all about tradition. Sure, some of the vendors do sell t-shirts, and clams cook up in a fryalator were unknown when the ancestors of the tribe met the Pilgrims, but this is 2008 and if you do a Google search of "Mashpee Wampanoag" you come up with almost 50,000 web pages. Nuff said.

Does CasinoFacts know something we don't know?

6/19/08 The Board of Directors of the political action committee organized in opposition to the proposed Mashpee Middleboro resort casino published a long letter in today's Middleboro Gazette. It lists nine reasons why they think the project won't come to fruition, reminding readers that "a middleboro casino is still anything but a done deal."

All of the nine points have been rebutted before, either on this website or elsewhere.

However there is one sentence that is new and demands explanation.

"The Tribe's agreement with their investors does not have provisions for a Class II facility."

I know of no one active in the pro-casino movement who has direct knowledge of what is in any contract between the Mashpee and their investors, let alone who has actually read it. I think it behooves the directors of CasinoFacts to provide verification that this statement is indeed factual.

State and Feds should fund Harvard gambling research program

6/16/08 The preeminent research program studying gambling addiction in the United States is National Center for Responsible Gaming (NCRG), a nonprofit group, associated with Harvard University. Most of their work is backed by gambling interests and no matter how objective they are, gambling opponents frequently claim they are biased in favor of those who provide most of their funding.

This new article in Salon, Gambling with Science, should be read for its insights into gambling addiction. But one of the experts quoted suggest that funding come from the federal government instead of the gambling lobby. I agree that funding should come from unbiased sources, but would suggest that here in Massachusetts part of the program be supported by income from any and all casinos operating in the state.

New book on gambling addiction reviewed in New York Times

6/14/08Preston L. Allen's "All or Nothing" is called "casino noir" by the New York Times. Here are some quotes from the book which will help understand gambling addiction from the addict's viewpoint:

“That’s what people don’t understand about gamblers. We gamble to gamble. We play to play. We don’t play to win.”

Most gamblers believe in a supernatural force called luck, or God. Noting that recovery involves losing faith instead of gaining it the author writes “There are no atheists in a casino.”

“Addiction is not a tragedy. It is a love story with abuse in it. We love, and it abuses us.”

As I have stated before in different ways, when it comes to the dangers of gambling addiction it is better to be forewarned. Residents who go to a casino should understand the psychology of gambling addiction and the warning signs that gambling is becoming a problem. This is the key to lowering the incidence of addiction in the community when a casino opens.

Read review here.

Despite headline, Globe reports positive news for casino

6/12/08 The headline in the article in today's Boston Globe, "Patrick say no compact near on casino" is deceptive because the quotes from Patrick and his representatives suggest optimism about a state - tribe agreement. For example:

"...some form of expanded gaming is coming because the tribe has some tribal rights to that, and we want to be ahead of that, and we'd like that to be within the framework we define rather than having it defined for us." (Patrick)

"As a sovereign nation, the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe will have rights to open a casino on any federally recognized land, and it is in the best interests of the Commonwealth for the administration to remain in active conversations with respect to their plans." (Kofi Jones, spokeswoman for the governor)

The article noted that Patrick "continues to meet with the Wampanoag tribe as members move forward with their application to place 550 acres in Middleborough in federal trust," and that "a massive" environmental impact study is already underway.

Read article here

DiMasi tells governor to wait on negotiation with tribe

NEW 6/11/08 House Speaker Sal DiMasi, who has been a long time opponent of casinos in Massachusetts, wants Governor Patrick to put off negotiating with the Mashpee Wampanoag on the Middleboro casino. Apparently DiMasi is placing his hopes on keeping casinos our of the Bay State on the federal government not approving the Middleboro site as a reservation.

Experts suggest that it is very likely this land will be put into trust. READ WBZ report here.

Feds ruling on bingo slots is major news for Mashpee casino

6/7/07 Acording to The Boston Herald (see the "Fed move makes Mass. Indian gaming more likely") he Mashpee Wampanoag tribe’s vow to open a casino, one way or another, has suddenly gained new potency." The Indian Gaming Commission, which was considering some hardline limitations on the way that bingo slot machines could operate. Currently for the customer they are nearly indistinguishable from regular slots, The commission has dceided to allow bingo slots to operate as they had been doing so successfuly at the Seminole casinos in Florida.

Eventually the Florida tribe neogitiated class three gaming with the states because they were so successful with their class II casino, from which the state received no revenue.

I have written before that opening a class three casino was the fallback position for the tribe, and in this article Professor Clyd Barrow reiterates the same statement which he has also made previously.

Keeping up with the latest slot machine technology

6/2/08 Hopefully an informed gambler is less likely to develop into a gambling addict, and information can help those already addicted. That's why it is important to keep abreast of the latest technology which casinos will be using in the near future to separate customers from their money. Here's what we can expect from slot machines over the next few years. CONTINUED

I suspect there's Middleboro casino news out none of it is filtering down to the Casino-Friend.com office here on the dirt section of Tispaquin Street

5/28/08 It's been so quiet on the Middleboro casino news front that (as sidebar explains) I haven't found anything to write on the website in over a week and hence didn't notice it had gone offline. Without reasonably fresh or intersting opinions to express and news to report on local casino issues I'm been indulging my hpergraphic tendencies by writing my columns about national politics on another website where some zealous Hillary Clinton supporters in their comments have called me shrill and a two-bit therapist,

It seems that whether on local message boards or national ones my attempts to persuade some posters to refrain from ad hominem attacks and never write anything they wouldn't say to their pastor in front of their spouse and children falls on deaf ears under the protection of an Internet screen name.

Every day I read news about new reports about all issues related to gambling and what is transpiring across the world and country as thoughtful officials and concerned citizens are attempting to deal with the growing phenominon of gambling as a major money and job generator which also has a serious downside.

Anybody can follow the news about gambling and casinos by doing a search on http://news.google.com. I have added this to my peronalized Google News home page, and have email alerts from Google News sent to me thourgh the day every time a new article comes up with the key words I've specified.

I regularly get articles about events in Middlborough, England, and things that happen in towns that have Middleboro Roads in them. But I rarely miss published news items about Middleboro and about the casino.

But do I have any hot new insider information? I was asked that twice in the last two days by strangers who saw the Casino-Friend.com sticker on my car and recognized me.

The truth is that if there was hot insider information that I was asked not to share, I couldn't tell anyone who asked, and wouldn't publish it here.

However, if I ever hear anything and have the go ahead to publish it, you'll her the complete spin-free story here.

If you missed my May 1st discussion about gambling addiction on Adam Bond's radio show you can listen to it here.

5/20/08 Adam Bond is the chair of the Middleboro Board of Selectmen. He has a weekly radio show on WXBR-AM (1460) every Thursday at 11:00 AM called Coffee Shop Talk. On May 1st I was a guest and we discussed gambling addiction. Click the heading and scroll down the page to listen.

Second poll shows even more people for casinos in Massachusetts

5/12/08 As reported in The Standard Times (above) another poll shows more people in Massachusetts support casino gambling here. In this poll, conducted by Fabrizio, McLaughlin & Associates of Alexandria, Va., the numbers were slightly strong than those from the poll conducted by U. Mass Dartmouth and Dr. Clyd Barrow. Both shows support at about two to one.

Clyde Barrow answerers critics

5/12/08 In a letter to The Standard Times Professor Clyd Barrow answers his critics at that paper and elsewhere. Most important to readers of this website, he addresses concerns about measuring the social impacts of gambling. READ

NEW: "Passion against" vs. "enthusiasm for" a cause

5/9/08 Having attended one meeting of the CFO (the open meeting with Rep. Tom Calter) I can attest to the fact that it isn't just their leaders and those who hold signs at demonstrations who are passionate about their cause. I respect them for this even though I object at times to their tactics and to the behavior of a few casino opponents.

Not all casino advocates are pristine pure in their behavior either.

There was a heated political battle of persuasion for votes prior to the town meeting. It would be both naive and disingenuous to say that only the con side utilized calculated tactics to win. In politics each side has a strategy and every strategy has tactics.

Since the "KKK issue" has come up again I want to deal with that first. CONTINUED

Casino related blogging issue moves from sidebar issue to center page

5/5/08 Readers may not have bothered reading last weeks sidebar (The Fruit Hunters, left). The sidebar is where I publish peripheral stories that don't directly relate to the casino's coming to Middleboro. I just added a line to the title. If you haven't read it, I suggest you take a look (HERE) because it describes my own experiences some years ago running a website with a controversial message board which received national attention. CONTINUED

Quote on the history of gambling 4/27/08 From the Boston Globe South:

Native Americans are credited with inventing the game (lacrosse) some 800 years ago, and it is considered the oldest organized sport in America. Early players called it by several names, depending on the region, including one that translates to mean "little brother of war," according to historian Thomas Vennum Jr.

The games originally were designed to train warriors, but also were played as a way to resolve disputes between villages - perhaps a precursor to today's intertown sports rivalries?

Back then, wagering on the outcome was an integral part of the game, but contests also were played for medicinal reasons: Native Americans believed it would produce healing power. Game outcomes were believed to be supernaturally controlled by the Creator.

Read article Spirit of the Game.

Dare anyone speculate that a few lacrosse dads actually bet on the outcome of their children's games? Dare anyone suggest that there are a few silent prayers for divine intervention on the outcome?

Senate Indian Affairs oversight hearing on National Indian Gaming Commission

Class II gaming discussed

4/18/08 (From Indianz.com) The Senate Indian Affairs Committee held an oversight hearing yesterday morning on the National Indian Gaming Commission. Click above.

A good weekend for the Mashpee

4/8/08 With a "proxy win" In Middleboro's Board of Selectmen election, in which the town elected two strongly pro-casino candidates, and a resounding voice vote win in the Mashpee town meeting yesterday approving the Intergovernmental accord, the Mashpee's friends and neighbors in two towns said "yes" to their plans.

Middleboro Election Results

Marsha Brunelle 892

Muriel Duphily 850

Gregory Stevens 692

Fredrick Eayrs 603

Michael O"Shaughnessy 398

Jessie Powell 285

Thomas Murphy 143

(several write-ins )

263 blank

Total votes cast in election - 2066

CasinoFacts and CasinoFreeMass president puts political muscle behind statewide casino advocate

4/3/08 Rich Young of Middleboro is the president of two Massachusetts organizations organized in oposition to casinos in the state. One, CasinoFacts, is local and primarily focused on stopping the proposed Mashpee casino in Middleboro. The other, CasinoFreeMass, is opposed to any and all casinos in Massachusetts. click above

April and May, 2008

How do we interpret the results when the gambling industry funds research on addiction?

NEW 7/3/08 A new article in Bloomberg News, "Harvard proves Gaming's Best Friend With Casino-Funded Research" addresses the issue about whether or not to trust the conclusions of academic studies when they are funded by industries which would benefit one way or another from certain results. Of course this boils down to whether or not to trust the integrity of the researchers themselves. Unless there are non-disclosure agreements, frowned upon or forbidden except in research involving national security at reputable universities, the funder is always taking a risk that the published results of a study will not be favorable to their industry. CONTINUED

Related: Gambling with science, from Salon, skews anti-gambling but does present both sides. It suggests a good solution to the research problem, having the government instead of the industry provide the funding.

Quote of the day lacks anti-casino dogmatism

NEW 6/29/08 Casino opponents often present their case in dogmatic and categorical terms sometimes sprinkled with dysphemism. It is refreshing to have a well known casino opponent make a statement that shows that "the jury is out" on matters others in his camp consider a foregone conclusion.

"People are dazzled by it all, the dollar signs, the activity, the initial construction jobs, and everything," said (CasinoNo) spokesman Dennis Bailey. "But studies show that most of the problems associated with casinos surface within three to five years after these things open. The jury's still out for people to say how good or bad it is." Boston Globe

Casino opponent Jason Schwartz making much ado about not much

6/21/08 Jason Schwartz writes reviews for Boston Magazine and also has blog on their website. In his latest blog entry, "The BIA's Back, Baby! And More Indian Casino Fun", he offers the opinion that a recent change in one of the regulations from a guideline to a requirement would slow down, if not halt, the progress of the Middleboro casino. It is now a requirement that a tribe seeking a new reservation prove it had a modern and historical connection to the land.

Schwartz writes about the possibility of Barak Obama wanting to assist the tribe should he become president:

But now that guideline is a regulation, thus tying any future president’s hands on the matter. The Mashpee, then, will be forced to rigorously and thoroughly prove their ties to the land.

Considering the fact that the Mashpee have been actively involved in doing everything possible to get the Middleboro land approve as part of their initial reservation, it makes sense that they would have treated all the BIA guidelines as if they were requirements, especially one as important as proving their past and present connections to this area.

Since I believe they will "rigorously and thoroughly prove their ties to the land", I doubt this change will make any difference at all.

Standard Times editorial needs some grounding in facts

6/17/08 Today's editorial in The Standard Times, "Casino bill too important to rush" , has a number of significant factual errors which are central to their argument that the state should not feel an imperative to be proactive about an agreement with the Mashpee Wampanoag prior to the decision as to whether the Middleboro land will be allowed to go into federal trust as part of their initial reservation.

They seem to believe that the state is being coerced into agreeing to a Class !!! agreement with the threat that if the tribe doesn't get it they will open a Class !! casino on reservation land without any requirement to pay the state anything.

The fact is that the tribe can indeed do this on a reservation,and using the newest bingo-configured slot machines and other approved Class II games in a glitzy attractive environment they will draw Massachusetts customers back from Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods. How many remains to be seen; but the prospect of a major money making venture in Massachuestts return a portion of its income only to the town of Middleboro is something the legislature should consider.

The state would be wise not to underestimate the ingenuity of the gambling industry in using the latest technology and design elements to make their Class II venues exceedingly attractive to customers.

The Standard Times brings up Glenn Marshall, the federal investigation, and Shawn Hendricks. While it is true that a federal investigation could lead to an indictment, presumably related to financial matters, it is by no means clear as to how that would influence the course of the land into trust process. As for the tribe's image, this has been hurt by actions by Marshall and allegations about Hendricks. Though elected leaders, they are still just two individuals and we don't know how this would influence officials involved in deciding the fate of the entire tribe.

The editorial notes as another problem that the Patrick administration filed a formal letter of opposition with concerns about environmental and infrastructure problems. Hardly insurmountable, these problems would have to be resolved for the casino to open even if the state hadn't expressed concern.

The Standard Times goes on to say that the tribe's casino plans aren't on the "fast track" because Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne opposes Indian casinos on non-reservation land. The fact of the matter is that the Mashpee is asking for the Middleboro property to be part of their initial reservation, so the casino would be on reservation land.

The editors suggest that the downturn in the economy may make the casino investors less likely to give Massachusetts a fair share of casino revenue. This of course is speculation. It is just as likely that the investors, facing the possible bankruptcy of Twin Rivers and a resurgence in the economy, will be looking to the long term and want to assure they open the doors of the Middleboro casino with a Class III license.

Middleboro casino not a done deal until it's a done deal

NEW 6/16/08 Opponents of the Mashpee casino planned for Middleboro are quick to point out, as they did in articles published today ( "Momentum Builds to reconsider casinos" and "State gives casino plan another look") that there are a number of "obstacles" to the Mashpee building a casino and that it isn't what they call a done deal.

The choice of the word obstacles suggests difficult to surmount problems and the casino opponents tend to use examples that may or may not be applicable to the current situation, like tribes that had their land into trust applications held up in the bureaucracy for years.

Of course they may be right. And they may be wrong.

But one thing is for certain, the Mashpee Middleboro casino won't be a done deal until it is in fact a done deal. Nobody needs to be reminded of this.

While it isn't a done deal yet, by all the indications being reported in the news recently, it is moving in that direction at a pace that seems to me to put it on track for an opening day in the neighborhood of two years.

Troubles is other states, like Rhode Island, should provide lessons for Mashpee casino

6/13/08 With the financial difficulties which has raised the prospect of bankruptcy for the Twin Rivers Casino in Rhode Island, comes concerns about the profitability of the planned casino for Middleboro. BLB Investors LLC backed Twin Rivers and are the primary investors in the Mashpee Middleboro project.

Whether the lesson is financial (Twin Rivers pay a high percentage of slot revenue to the state) or methods used to attract and retain customers especially when gas prices are soaring, there are always lessons to be learned when one project is teetering on failures as a similar project is in the planning stages. Read more in The Cape Cod Times.

Miscommunication on Governor Patrick's meetings with leaders of tribe, though movement is apparent as representatives from both groups lay vital groundwork for further cooperation

6/11/08 According to the Standard Times: "Contrary to television and wire reports yesterday, sources in the governor's office said neither side had initiated compact negotiations for an Indian casino. Tribal spokesman Scott Ferson said that would happen "at the appropriate time." However, a meeting between Daniel O'Connell, the secretary of Housing and Economic Development and tribal official to discuss road and traffic issues, vital to the construction of the casino, was scheduled for today. Read entire article.

Governor Patrick ready to negotiate with Mashpee on casino

6/10/08 From WBZ News: "Massachusetts is prepared to negotiate a casino compact with the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe that would clear the way for a massive full scale casino in Middleboro.

We are prepared to negotiate within the parameters we have under existing law," said Massachusetts Governor Patrick on Monday.

Even though his proposal for three casinos died in the legislature, it's a good bet casino gambling is coming to the Bay State." CONTINUED

According to WBZ, tribal chairman Shawn Hendricks has stated that "great progress" is being make in the federal process of having the Middleboro land recognized as a reservation, and "construction plans for their massive Middleboro resort casino are well under way. "

More from the Cape Cod Times

Connecticut resort casinos set benchmark for Mashpee to surpass

6/5/08 This article about the brand new MGM Grand says it all. The $700 million addition to Foxwoods opened on April 18th. With a $925 million expansion due soon at Mohegan Sun, it is clear that to compete effectively the Mashpee Middleboro casino will truly have to be a destination resort with amenities and entertainment to attract conventions, and more table games to attract a younger more affluent clientele.

Slot machine bells and water park whistles

Some day, along with Las Vegas, Montreal, Philadelphia and Tanglewood, maybe Middleboro will make the New York Times list of the "31 places to go this summer"

5/31/08 When Glenn Marshall shared his vision of a resort casino complete with a water park in Middleboro I thought that would be something that I would enjoy. I thought in addition to my usual regimen of swimming laps at the Old Colony YMCA, healthy, relaxing but repetitive, a wave pool would be lots of fun. However, the math just didn't add up to me since maintaining a large standard pool is expensive enough and indoor water park facilities would have to generate lots of cash just to break even. CONTINUED

Gambling addiction specialists argue both sides of casino debate

5/19/08 An article in the Baltimore Sun, "Treatment groups see windfalls from slots" (click above) quotes addiction therapists with opposing views about legalizing casinos. The article illustrates how conscientious and compassionate therapists disagree on the issue of legalizing casino gambling.

The pro and con arguments in this article are virtually identical to those we hear in our local debate. My own opinions as a therapist, albeit not an addiction specialist, coincides with those expressed by the "pro side". The con arguments are about the same too, with a with a similar level of hyperbole: "It's like in Vietnam, saying we've got to burn the village to save the village."

Point of clarification on land into trust

5/12/08 Residents of Middleboro will be voting on whether the town should purchase 12.2 acres of land abutting the proposed resort casino site as conservation land. Some people have the impression that at some time in the future this land could become part of the Mashpee reservation and taken off the tax rolls.

According to the agreement with the town of Middleboro, the tribe has agreed to only take land into trust that has already been mapped as their reservation. Any land purchased in addition to this would be taxed. In addition to this, any land taken into trust after the initial reservation (or reservations) has to go through the BIA approval process.

On intellectual property, copyright, citing articles and accuracy in critiquing this website

And a few word about netiquette

5/11/08 As more and more blogs related to the casino are coming online I find that this website and me personally are being referenced more frequently. In the interest of fairness for all concerned, and to promote accuracy in clarity and criticism, I am publishing some basic guidelines and suggestions.. CONTINUED

Two editorials from prior to the town meeting bear reviewing again in light of the recent debate on blogging.

Some casino opponents have been likened to members of the Ku Klux Klan. Let's look at why.

5/8/08 (revised at 5PM) There is only one usage of the name "Ku Klux Klan" on this website. It was in the context of reference to an article about Citizens Equal Rights Alliance (CERA) which had that in its title. CONTINUED

An open letter to Rich Young about links to blogs

Opinion on "playing the race card": We must talk about about the unspeakable

4/20/08 -- The anti-casino movement is made up of hundreds of sincere and decorous people who have devoted considerable time, talent and energy to their cause. There are a number of reasons people are strongly against casinos in their communities or gambling in general and it is important to recognize that some are unrelated. Not all are opponents for the same reason. They have concerns I accept and understand about increased addiction, traffic, crime, and their bucolic towns which are already suffering suburban sprawl becoming even less rural. CONTINUED

New survey:

South of Boston region biggest supporters of casino gambling
The area south of Boston is the most supportive (61%) of expanding gambling options in Massachusetts of any other area in the state.

CasinoFacts.org - PAC board member publishes anti-sovereignty activist's email in Gazette letter

4/17/08 To date, CasinoFacts has, to my knowledge, taken no position on the sovereign rights of a recognized Indian tribe over their land into trust. In today's Gazette Letters to the Editor section Judy Gibbs, who is a member of the CasinoFacts Board and who is scheduled to host a "a letter writing campaign which will send a strong and clear message to our government" at her house this evening, had letter published which was mostly a copy of an email she received from a California anti-casino activist named Kathryn Bowen. CONTINUED

How can a town endorse a blog?

4/12/08 When, yesterday, I wrote the following I wanted to be restrained and not overreact to my initial impression that there was something quite untoward about the town of Plympton endorsing Mary Tuft's "Gladys Kravitz" by not only referencing it as the only blog they included in their list of websites, but especially by calling it "educational and entertaining". Click above

A response to Frank Dunphy from CasinoFacts

4/11/08 Read 1 Comment HERE

4/10/08 In a letter to The Middleboro Gazette CasonoFacts member Frank Dunphy brings up a number of points which he states as outright facts. However, while there are elements of truth in all he brings up, none are as factual as he makes them out to be. CONTINUED

Quotes of the week:

From the sublime...

4/10/08 "CASINO SUPPORTERS VICTORIOUS - The outcome of last Saturday's race for two seats on the Board of Selectmen could be interpreted as another endorsement by Middleborough voters of the proposed Mashpee Wampanoag casino in town." The Boston Globe.

...to the worse than ridiculous...

The Plympton BOS Chairman Joseph Frietas speaks:

“This is something that is extremely important if you like Plympton or love Plympton the way it is.."

“I am in favor of gaming in Massachusetts,” ( he added he remains opposed to the proposed tribal-run casino in Middleboro, due to the potential impact it will have on Plympton) and then says:

“If something comes to Middleboro, hopefully, it won’t be an Indian-run affair.” from article on Plympton selectmen voting to oppose casino in The Brockton Enterprise.

An "Indian-run affair?"

They even have an official municipal anti-casino website with links to articles, and to various anti-casino and gambling education organizations, and also to CasinoFacts.org, CasinoFreeMass and to one blog, the Gladys Kravitz blog by Bridgewater resident Mary Tufts. They refer to her controversial blog which has come under fire for being in bad taste, for sarcasms and for mocking Middleboro town officials as "educational and entertaining!"

You can read the official letter from Plympton to the Bureau of Indian Affairs here.

April and May, 2008