UNLV Gambling Study Does Not Account For Fear Factor of Americans

Internet gambling is as popular as it ever has been. The only difference between now and in the past, is that Americans are more afraid to tell the truth about their online gambling.

Results have been released by UNLV from a study that was done on Internet gambling. The results indicate the opposite of what online gambling advocates had hoped for. Of 1,000 people surveyed, only 3.7 percent admitted to gambling online in the past five years.

The study was done for the Gaming Control Board to find out about interest and whether it should be pursued to allow Nevada residents the right to gamble online.

The problem with the study is two fold. First, the sample size is not large enough to reflect the true pulse of Nevada residents. The study could have been manipulated in any way to make the results end up exactly the way any one group would want them to turn out. The second problem with the study is the timing. While the study asked people about the past five years, it is possible that Americans that answered the survey were afraid to tell the truth. With the laws changing in 2006, and the United States government persistent on making examples out of people, it is likely people would lie in a survey of this nature.

The study did claim that their names will be kept confidential, but in light of the way the government is being run, it is unlikely that people felt their confidentiality was safe.

In the end, the Gaming Board received the answers they were looking for, even if they came at the expense of the truth.

January 11, 2008
Posted By Tom Jones
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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