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Further, it is unlikely that unscrupulous
gaming operators would
become members of industry associations, and far
less likely, that such persons would adhere to a
voluntary code of conduct. Under
self-regulation, the presence of organised crime
would more difficult to
police, if it could be policed at all.
Self-regulation is not regarded as a
satisfactory alternative to formal
licensing. It is incapable of addressing the
potential problems inherent in the gaming
industry and is
unlikely to maintain the current standard of
integrity of the gaming product.Experts tell us
that 60%-70% of the people who gamble can do so
in a "normal" way. For most people gambling is
fun, entertaining, and adds a healthy dimension
to their quality of life. For others gambling is
a different experience. Professionals tell us
that 15%-20% of those who bet may "go over the
line"; wagering more than they can afford,
sometimes borrowing heavily and causing problems
in their lives. Most times these "problem
gamblers" keep their families together and hold
their jobs but gambling holds them back from
reaching their true potential in life.
There is another category of people who bet in
New Jersey which numbers 5% for adults and up to
8% for those under 21 years of age. They are
compulsive gamblers; professionally known since
1980 as pathological gamblers. The illness,
unless treated, gets progressively worse. These
people are from all walks of life, affecting
various age groups and ethnic and social
backgrounds. All compulsive gamblers go through
three significant phases while they are actively
gambling.
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