Casino Pulls Ad Aimed at Those in Debt

Reuters ^ | Tue, Mar 30, 2004

[presidio9]

One of New Mexico's biggest American Indian-run casinos has pulled a controversial TV ad that promoted gambling as a financial solution to people who are short on cash or deeply in debt.

The Isleta Casino Resort commercial ran earlier this month featuring a young woman who suggested that the answer to unpaid bills piling up from holiday-season shopping sprees could be found at the casino, which operates just south of Albuquerque.

The casino declined to comment on why it pulled the ad, but the spot drew condemnations from numerous critics who said the commercial was morally reprehensible.

"It's outrageous. This is the first time I've heard quite this outlandish an appeal," said Guy Clark, executive director of the New Mexico Coalition Against Gambling. "This ad aims, like a rifle shot, at New Mexico's clientele that is uneducated, desperate and poor."

One image in the ad showed a smiling woman with an outstretched hand receiving dollar bills.

"So, the holidays have passed, and those credit card bills just keep piling up?" an announcer intones in the ad, according to a transcript published in local media. "Well, Isleta Casino Resort comes to your rescue."

The ad was shown for several weeks before being pulled off the air last week.

"Casinos are set up to make money. The longer you stay, the more you lose. It's called chasing your losses, and people can end up losing their homes or even taking their lives," Clark said.

[EggsAckley]

There's an old saying in the world of casinos: They don't build these things by letting people win.

[Monty22]

"New Mexico's clientele that is uneducated, desperate and poor"

Heh, I'm surprised he put it so bluntly.

[Atlas Sneezed]

It's not a bad plan.

Win, and pay your bills.

Lose, and have some fun before you declare bankruptcy.

[Bismarck]

One of New Mexico's biggest American Indian-run casinos has pulled a controversial TV ad that promoted gambling as a financial solution to people who are short on cash or deeply in debt. I would like to know the name of the marketing/advertising agency behind this ad. Some people just do anything for money.

[Zack Nguyen]

One casino is finally being honest about their true targets. Gambling typically ensnares the poor at a greater rate than the rich.

[IYAS9YAS]

And yet, I'll bet the local lottery ads are still running.

[presidio9]

And yet, I'll bet the local lottery ads are still running.

I had a Conservative Economics professor who referred to state lotteries as "stupidity tax."

[KJacob]

So the slogan of the casino is "Give us all your money and we will solve all your problems".
Is John Kerry on the Board of Directors?

[DannyTN]

Last time I was in Louisiana the state was promoting a couple who was about to lose their house but had just won the lottery.

[oyez]

When people win the casinos consider it to be investment. Those winners are going to return another day.

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

Gambling typically ensnares the poor at a greater rate than the rich.

The stupid more than the clever, wishful thinkers more than realists.

[BMiles2112]

Ever seen the bumper sticker:
"The lottery is a tax on those who are bad at math"?

While I don't condone the casino's ad, it was aimed at exactly the right audience, those who are in debt and stupid enough to think a casino may actually be a good way out.

[Moosilauke]

I think the outrage should be directed to the state lotteries instead, you know, the ones that fill the airwaves with the "you can't win if you don't play" commercials. Casinos create jobs, provide entertainment, pay taxes, and grow rich with house advantages of 2-5%. Lotteries keep 50% of every dollar, create patronage jobs for political insiders, and provide ideal breeding grounds for political corruption. They truly are a tax on stupidity.

[IYAS9YAS]

Yeah, I call it that, too. Or a tax on the mathematically challenged. Every once-in-a-while I buy a scratch ticket or 5 dollar powerball ticket (if the jackpot gets over 50 million). Other than that, I put my money in savings or actual investments...dvds are investments, right? A newer version of cds, with better yields. Bloom County bump.

[proudpapa]

Gambling is really a tax on the mathematically challenged.

[presidio9]

Bloom County bump.

[proudpapa]

Actually a lot of gamblers are quite good at math. And that is there real problem. They think that although most people will lose, because they are good at math, they will overcome the odds. Few do.

[yankeedame]

There's an old saying in the world of casinos: They don't build these things by letting people win.

Amen! And remember, the casinos pay back what? 95 or 97 cents of every buck they take in ....and even only 4 or 5 cents on the dollar they (Casinos, Inc.) can still afford to put up those palaces and pay them off in a year or two.

[roadcat]

"Casinos are set up to make money. The longer you stay, the more you lose. It's called chasing your losses, and people can end up losing their homes or even taking their lives," Clark said.

Me and my wife always set limits to our gambling, and it's all done for fun, not profit. Money from the left pocket goes to gambling, profits go in the right pocket. When we go home, it doesn't matter if the left pocket is empty, as we had our fun. We took our older daughter gambling for the first time years ago, giving her the same advice. (Believe it was in Arizona, 18-years-old is the minimum age.) After playing a while, she said "what's the big deal about gambling?", and has rarely gambled in the 6 years since. Our kids know the path to riches is by working hard and honest at real jobs. Anything else is a shell game.