Opinion

Internet gambling could be addictive

Posted March 20, 2009 11:00 pm

Regarding a March 3 Daily Herald Staff report, "Renz Center to offer free tests to help root out gambling addictions," I understand the AP reports state Senate President John Cullerton wants to sell Internet lottery tickets, hiring a private company to manage and market lottery games. This proposal is a major gambling expansion affecting young people. High school and college students could gather huge credit card debts purchasing Internet lottery tickets, using home, library, and school computers, cell phones, and Black Berries. Instant Internet lottery tickets are to be very colorful and have fast games. This high-speed gambling could be addictive. Finally, a private company could use targeted marketing to increase lottery sales to the young, poor, and addicted. Other Senate bills could snare young gamblers: SB 1298 legalizes Internet horse-racing, SB 1595 allows OTB parlors next to day-care centers, pre-schools, trade schools, colleges/universities and youth centers, and SB 1654 legalizes Internet buying of lottery tickets.

James H. Bersie

Villa Park

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