Gambling, Addiction & the Airwaves

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I am listening to a show on NPR about gambling and what casinos do to drive addicted gamblers into their doors. I didn’t hear anything that was shocking or revelatory. It did, however, confirm for me a thought has recently run through my mind when I hear a Potowatomi commercial. The commercials sound – to my ear – like a seductive call to addicted personalities. Don’t know if they sound like that to others but – to me – it is clear that the commercials use language and rhythms that are temptations in the ears of those struggling with addiction.

I’m not – necessarily – judging or drawing us into a moral discussion. It would be nice if businesses were moral actors, but that’s not an expectation I carry.

But, the commercials are troubling to my ears . . .

About Post Author

Walter Lanier

Walter Lanier is a husband, father, lawyer, pastor, teacher, educator, and social entrepreneur with a deep commitment to being a liberating force in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Lanier, an inaugural CBMA fellow, is the Senior Pastor of Progressive Baptist Church of Milwaukee, which has a 30-year track record of innovation and service to community Milwaukee. Pastor Lanier also serves as the Director of Student Resources at Milwaukee Area Technical College where he also founded the college’s Men of Color Initiative and lead the first-ever Counseling and Psychological Services department.

wjlanier@gmail.com