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Casinos Urged to Help Lobbyists11 May 2001BILOXI, Mississippi –May 11, 2001 –As reported by the Las Vegas Review-Journal: "The casino industry must do a better job of educating politicians about problem gambling, a proposed ban on college sports betting and issues related to minority hiring and contracting, a top MGM Mirage executive said Wednesday. "Industry executives cannot simply rely on their Washington, D.C., lobbyists to make their case, MGM Mirage Vice Chairman Dan Wade said. "…Wade delivered his comments during the opening day of the two-day Southern Gaming Summit at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum & Convention Center. "…The MGM Mirage executive was careful to note that he wasn't criticizing the political efforts of the casino industry's Capitol Hill lobbying arm, the American Gaming Association. "He spoke of the three key issues the industry must deal with in Washington, D.C. "They are: "-The National Collegiate Athletic Association-backed ban on legal college sports betting at Nevada casinos. "…Last week, the bill was passed by the Senate Commerce Committee and awaits further action in the House and Senate. "-The scope of problem gambling within the United States. "Less than 1 percent of gamblers are compulsive gamblers, Wade said, and the industry will have to continue efforts to educate congressional leaders about the subject. "Particularly worrisome, he said, are studies showing that adolescent boys are two to three times as likely to have gambling problems as adults. "…-Diversity in the hiring and promotion of workers and the selection of contractors with whom casino companies do business. |