Gambling, Addiction & the Airwaves

15 Jun 2012 Walter Lanier

Read Time:39 Second

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 . . .