Gamblers Anonymous estimate that there are at least 12 million compulsive gamblers. State sponsorship of gambling makes it harder, not easier, for the compulsive gambler to reform. Since about 96 percent of those gamblers began gambling before the age of fourteen, we should be especially concerned about the message such a policy sends to young people. The economic costs that gamblers themselves incur are significant. And this figure pales in comparison with other social costs that surface because of family neglect, embezzlement, theft, and involvement in organized crime.
Compulsive gamblers affect the lives of family, friends, and business associates.
Some of the consequences of gambling are marital disharmony, divorce, child abuse, substance abuse, and suicide attempts. Gambling is bad social policy. It hurts the poor and those struggling with a compulsive gambling addiction. I'm Kerby Anderson of Probe Ministries, and that's my opinion. Kerby Anderson is the president of Probe Ministries International.