In a front page, above-the-fold story, today's New York Times published the most detailed, thorough, and revealing investigation into the commercialized gambling industry by any national media outlet in at least fifteen years. The Times investigation shined a powerful light upon the corrupt and deceitful lobbying campaign by commercialized gambling interests, in partnership with professional and college sports leagues, big media companies, and some public officials from both parties, to push sports gambling and online gambling across the US. I posted the links to the five in-depth NYT stories further below in this email. Predatory gambling is America's most-neglected major problem, which is why this Times investigation even more significant. More than 40 million Americans are experiencing harm because of the greed of big gambling operators. And the financial losses being suffered are staggering: citizens are trapped in a downward spiral to lose more than $1 trillion of personal wealth to commercialized gambling over the next eight years. (Note: non-NYT subscribers have free access to 10 articles per month before being asked to pay. If you've already exceeded that figure, it's well-worth buying a subscription to read this investigation. The quality of the investigative journalism is that good and the findings that important, no matter your political stripes.) Here are the links to the five stories that appeared in today's Sunday NYT: - "Cigars, Booze, Money: How a Lobbying Blitz Made Sports Betting Ubiquitous"
- "How Colleges and Sports-Betting Companies ‘Caesarized’ Campus Life"
- "Why States Were Unprepared for the Sports-Betting Onslaught-Government oversight of sports betting offers scant consumer protections and looks to the industry to police itself, The Times found." - "Desperate for Growth, Aging Casino Company Embraced ‘Degenerate Gambler’"
- "Key Findings From The Times’ Investigation of Sports Betting"
As we've said before, the relentless lobbying for predatory gambling has been driven by two things: greed and a lust for power. The greed of powerful corporate gambling interests (along with billionaire pro sports teams owners and some big media companies) and the lust for power of some politicians from both parties. There is no grassroots movement for commercialized gambling in America and there never has been. We appreciate the time, effort, and resources invested by all of the Times journalists who worked to bring this major story to light. Best,
Les Bernal
Stop Predatory Gambling _______________________________ Who We Are — - Our members work to reveal the truth behind commercialized gambling operators to prevent more victims. - A 501c3 non-profit based in Washington, DC, we are a national advocacy network of individuals and partner groups with members in all 50 states. - We are one of the most diverse organizations in the United States, one in which citizens of all political stripes and life circumstances, from every corner of the country, work side-by-side. - Our funding comes from the selfless giving of every member of our national board; individual donations from hundreds of concerned citizens as well as people with the lived experience of predatory gambling from across the entire United States; gifts from a few smaller foundations; and support from members belonging to every major faith group in the country. What We Stand For — - We believe people are worth more than money. - We believe every person’s life has worth and that no one is expendable. - We believe everyone in America should have a fair opportunity to get ahead and improve their future. - We believe that a good society depends on the values of honesty, concern for others, mutual trust, self-discipline, sacrifice, and a work ethic that connects effort and reward. -We believe no agency or entity of government should depend on predatory gambling to fund its activities. By choosing to support Stop Predatory Gambling today, you’re taking an active role to protect the 40 million Americans experiencing harm caused by the greed of big gambling operators. Please help sustain our work by making a tax-deductible gift today of $10 or more. | 
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