Analyst Advises Town Against Throwing In the Pot With Gambling Interests
by Ed Thomas
October 11, 2005
(AgapePress) - A small town in Kentucky is facing a choice many governments in the U.S. are facing these days: whether or not to rely on and promote gambling for the purpose of economic gain. The rural community of Sharer has been given a chance to enrich its coffers by changing its name to that of a poker website, but a gambling analyst from Focus on the Family believes that would be a very bad idea. Pokershare.com thought it would be a great marketing idea to pick a U.S. town with a similar name and make it an intriguing offer designed to show that the Internet site gives back into communities and to its players. The terms were simple -- $100,000 to the community for computers, all in exchange for the town changing its name.
Associated Press reports that the town of Sharer, Kentucky, the proposed recipient, is considering the offer, considering whether to take the money and become "PokerShare.com, Kentucky." But Focus on the Family gambling research analyst Chad Hills says the town and community leadership might not understand the nature of the activity they would be promoting by doing this.
"Video gambling has been shown through research and studies to be the most addictive form of gambling ever in history," Hills points out. He feels the people of Sharer should consider the implications of the decision carefully before allowing their town to become associated with an activity that is habit-forming and potentially harmful to families and the community.
"Shouldn't the government be in the business of protecting the people and preserving order," the pro-family analyst argues, "rather than pushing something that's addictive?" If Sharer should choose to help promote online gambling by changing its name to that of a poker website, he insists, then the images associated with this form of gambling would become a lasting image associated with the town.
Even though the money has reportedly been earmarked for the purchase of computers, Hills asserts that the symbolism of gambling and the responsibility of government simply do not mix. However, if Sharer, Kentucky says no, PokerShare.com plans to make the offer to other communities.
Meanwhile, other entertainment industry companies such as Dish Network are now making similar bids for publicity. Hills does not recommend that any government or municipality accept such an offer.
Ed Thomas, a regular contributor to AgapePress, is a reporter for American Family Radio News, which can be heard online.
