Activist Responds to Gambling Industry Lobbyist

On June 22, Washington DC Gambling Industry Lobbyist Frank Fahrenkopf wrote a letter to the editor of the Baltimore Sun in favor of slots. This is the same Frank Fahrenkopf who, when he was a tobacco industry lobbyist, argued that second hand smoke isn't harmful. That fact speaks volumes to his trustworthiness.

Today, Kim Roman, an activist with NoCasiNO Maryland responded:

Frank J. Fahrenkopf Jr., the president of the American Gaming Association, responded to The Sun's article "Numbers Game" (June 22) in the letter "Gambling generates critical revenue (June 27).

This is the same Frank Fahrenkopf who said in October 2006: "Now if someone were to come along and tell me that they were going to put a casino in McLean, Virginia, where I live, I would probably work very, very hard against it. ... What's the old saying, 'NIMBY, not in my back yard'? Now I may be in favor of gaming, but I just don't want it located in a particular area."

If the head of the American Gaming Association doesn't want slots in his back yard, why would we want them in ours?

The only advice I'm taking from Mr. Fahrenkopt is to work very, very hard against slots.

Frank Fahrenkopf doesn't want a casino in his neighborhood because he knows they cause crime, violence and addiction. But, he has no problem putting a casino in your neighborhood. Telling.