McCain asks companies to stop producing "slots for tots"

[Gary Ruskin <gary@essential.org>]

Commercial Alert			December 15, 1999

Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John McCain (R-AZ) sent letters
yesterday to three companies that manufacture child-enticing slot
machines, urging them to reconsider the production of those gambling
devices.  

Senator McCain's letters state that children "should not be subject to
the enticements of the gambling industry."  The letters were sent to
International Game Technology, Shuffle Master Gaming and Casino Data
Systems.

Following is Senator McCain's letter to International Game Technology.

December 14, 1999

Mr. Charles N. Mathewson
Chairman of the Board/Chief Executive Officer
International Game Technology
9295 Prototype Drive
Reno, Nevada 89510-0580

Dear Charles: 

I am writing to urge you to reconsider your company's decision to
produce electronic gaming devices such as slot machines, video poker
games and video keno games with child based themes.

I have been contacted by a wide range of educators, religious leaders
and consumers groups expressing their concern that electronic gaming
devices with child based themes such as "Candyland," "Spiderman" and
"Monopoly" may adversely impact young children.  As Chairman of the
Senate Commerce Committee, I share these concerns and may hold a hearing
on this matter early next year.

As you know, youth gambling is a thoroughly documented problem in
America.  The National Gambling Impact Study Commission noted that
"[A]dolescent gamblers are more likely than adults to become problem or
pathological gamblers."  The Report cited a study by the National
Research Council that estimated that as many as 1.1 million adolescents
between the age of 12 and 18 are pathological gamblers.  Finally, the
Report noted that "[S]everal studies have shown that pathological
gambling is associated with alcohol and drug use, truancy, low grades,
problematic gambling in parents, and illegal activities to finance
gambling."

The problem of child-themed electronic gambling devices is exacerbated
by their prevalence throughout communities that allow their use. 
Unfortunately, these devices can be found in convenience stores, gas
stations and a variety of locations across a state where children will
certainly encounter them.  The Commission's report stated that "this
form of gambling occurs in close proximity to residential areas and/or
at consumer oriented sites, patrons regularly encounter them in the
course of their day-to-day activity."  Considering the risk that these
machines might entice young children to develop gambling habits, I
seriously question the benefit of using themes obviously attractive to
children.

It is my understanding that Nevada Gaming Control Board and the Nevada
Gaming Commission are examining this matter and will soon propose rules
to prohibit the use of child-based themes.  While I appreciate and
support their efforts to resolve this problem and protect children in
Nevada, I remain very concerned about children in other states.  Nevada
regulators can only proscribe the use of these machines within their
jurisdiction.  There is an estimated 17,922 electronic gaming devices in
Nevada.  There are more than 89,000 of these devices in other states
throughout the nation that would be unaffected by the proposed rule. 
Furthermore, I am concerned that the Nevada rule may be challenged by
the industry on First amendment grounds.

Therefore, I call on you to voluntarily preclude the use of child-based
themes and to do so immediately.  The Chairman of the American Gaming
Association recently noted that the industry adopted voluntary
guidelines to prohibit the use of material that would appeal directly to
children.  I have reviewed these guidelines.  They represent a good
faith effort to protect children, as long as, they are followed and not
simply a marketing tool to polish up the industry's image.

The guidelines specifically state "[C]asino advertising and marketing
materials should not contain cartoon figures, symbols,
celebrity/entertainment endorsements and/or language designed to appeal
specifically to children and minors."  The guidelines also include a
pledge to follow their spirit as well as their intent.  It is impossible
to believe that a slot machine or video poker machine using "Candyland,"
"Monopoly" or "Spiderman" as theme is anything but a direct violation of
your own industry approved guidelines.  I simply ask you to follow the
standards your industry has set for itself.

Children are our nation's most precious resource.  They deserve a future
based on family, love, hope and opportunity.  They should not be subject
to the enticements of the gambling industry.

I thank you for your attention to this matter and I look forward to your
response.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

Sincerely,


JOHN McCAIN
Chairman
<----------letter ends here----------->
BACKGROUND:
Commercial Alert's web page on gambling and children is at
<http://www.essential.org/alert/gambling/index.html>.

International Game Technology's news release announcing its new slot
machines with child-enticing themes is at
<http://www.igtonline.com/info/press/nr_937465200.html>

Commercial Alert was founded last year to oppose the excesses of
advertising, marketing and commercialism.  Commercial Alert's web
address is <http://www.essential.org/alert/>.

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Gary Ruskin | Commercial Alert 
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Phone: (202) 296-2787 | Fax (202) 833-2406
http://www.essential.org/alert/ | mailto:gary@essential.org
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