According to finding published in a June, 2009 study, the problem of gambling addiction would drop considerably if the United States government made the decision to fully legalize and regulate internet gambling. Ironically enough, this new study was published by the Church of God and Morals. In fact, a number of religious groups associated with the Church of God and Morals have been written, most of which argue that online casino gambling should remain an illegal activity. This is why it is so strange that its own study speaks otherwise by stating that a regulated online gambling industry would greatly benefit the United States as a whole.
Cindy Doright, spokesperson for the Church of God and Morals, remarked that gambling addicts would be better protected if online gambling was regulated, even though the organization believes strongly that the act of gambling is morally wrong.
The study was completed with the aid of a control group consisting of 25 Christian participants. Each person was assumed to have been gambling addicts for more than ten years. The participants were allowed to gamble on the internet with real money. The catch was that all of their deposits and playing activity would be monitored by leaders of the church. Their bookies, who are all loyal members of the Church of God and Morals, were also contacted to play a part in the process. The bookies agreed not to accept any bets from the 25 Christians. Finally after two years, the study concluded that none of the members from the control group developed any more gambling habits than they already had. To top things off, 24 of the 25 participants quit gambling entirely.
One of the gamblers who was monitored reported that the increased monitoring actually kept him from being able to hide that fact that he was gambling. In turn, this particular individual was far more conscious of his habits than in past times when dealing with the local bookie. From there, the participant came out to admit that they didn’t want to be known as someone with a gambling problem. Additionally, since he couldn’t deal with the neighborhood bookie, he just stopped gambling altogether.
While the study was conducted in a rather unusual manner and involved an insignificant number of the gambling population, the Church of God and Morals took upon themselves to send a letter to Congress to report the findings, which appears to believe it is more than a viable source to use as the basis for creating new legislation.
click here to see most Popular PagesOne Congressman the church contacted replied that since the religious group put the results in writing, he believes the findings to be true. The fact that internet gambling regulation showed notable benefits yet was still opposed by the church from a moral aspect, seemed to be weigh heavy on the Congressman. Upon being asked if he would look further into the subject by possibly viewing more scientific studies, the Congressman expressed that he wouldn’t. According to Cindy Doright, he said the findings corresponded to his personal beliefs and therefore, it would be no need to look at any more factual documents.
Could a simple church study be the break online gambling proponents have been looking for? Only time will tell.
