Indian Tribes’ Casinos Ordered Closed

Regarding the proposed ban on slot machines in Native American casinos (March 17), isn’t that kind of like McDonald’s trying to outlaw Whoppers? How hypocritical that casino slots may be banned but the California Lottery persists. Not that I’m against the lottery, but why is it more detrimental for a Californian to drive to a Native American casino to play a few dollars on a slot machine than to hobble down to the corner liquor or convenience store and drop a few dollars on the lottery?

If the argument is that it siphons money Californians should use on their families, then it should also apply for the lottery; both attract the same people. The only difference may be that even transit-dependent people can play the lottery while they may not be able to get to the casinos. If one only pauses to think about the dollars lost to the California economy by gamblers going to Las Vegas (and now many other states), it’s clear to see that a monetary opportunity is being lost by the state in its war against gambling.

KEVIN D. FLEMING

Laguna Niguel

* Surrounded as I am by Lotto machines and many other types of gambling, why this rather sudden concern for “countless thousands of lives that are destroyed by the addiction of gambling each year” (according to our governor)?

In my mail I receive requests for help from many schools filled with Native American children. Gaming seems to aid the tribal people. Why not give them some support for a change?

EVELYN M. SEARS

Culver City

* Something struck me odd. On March 17 two articles appeared involving the regulation of activities that can generate a lot of money. There was the article about the controversy surrounding Indian casinos. Gov. Pete Wilson was quoted about lives destroyed by gambling. He mentioned that some people lose the ability to manage their money, inflicting damage on themselves and their families. On the other hand, an article in the Business section examined “the Internet’s burgeoning sex industry” and how much money it makes. The owner of a sex Web site stated, “We have customers who spend $150 a month up to $6,000.”

When someone spends hundreds or thousands of dollars a month on gambling, society is comfortable pointing to a potential addiction to gambling. When the same amount is spent on pornography, however, no concern for the addictive nature of pornography is voiced. Sex and pornography addiction can be as damaging as addictions to gambling, drugs or alcohol, but the subject receives little attention.

ART KELLNER

Torrance