THE NATIONAL GAMBLING
IMPACT STUDY COMMISSION
Final Report
June 1999

COMMISSIONERS
Kay C. James, Chairman
William A. Bible
Dr. James C. Dobson
J. Terrence Lanni
Richard C. Leone
Robert W. Loescher
Leo T. McCarthy
Dr. Paul H. Moore
John W. Wilhelm

govinfo.library.unt.edu/ngisc/reports/fullrpt.html

A Time for Pause: An Introduction by Casino Watch

In June of 1999, the National Gambling Impact Study Commission issued its report, as directed by Congress. This was the first major and comprehensive study of gambling in America in 23 years. The Commissioners believe that this Nation needs to stop expanding gambling without taking a real honest look at both the Economic and Social devastation that ensues. As the NCISC reported, “the purpose of this recommended pause is to encourage governments to do what to date few if any have done: To survey the results of their decisions and to determine if they have chosen wisely."
Unfortunately, since 1999 this country has seen anything but a pause in gambling expansion. Many politicians have been redirected away from studies like this and toward information that is far less comprehensive and usually from bias sources. The following is a summary of some of the most relevant information. Please read this information and share it with as many people as you can who are seeking a nonbiased academically reviewed information.

Excerpts from the NGISC
Revisiting the National Gambling Impact Study Commission

SUMMARY FROM CITIZENLINK - FOCUS ON THE FAMILY
The National Gambling Impact Study Commission (NGISC) Report
November 26, 2003
by Chad Hills (Revision of Ron Reno's summary)

What Does It Say? What Does It Mean?
http://www.citizenlink.org/FOSI/gambling/cog/A000001185.cfm

"The National Gambling Impact Study Commission (NGISC) Final Report, issued on June 18, 1999, provided the first comprehensive assessment of gambling's effects on the United States in 23 years. The NGISC raised a plethora of concerns about the negative impacts of gambling that have arisen in the more than two decades since the first federal gambling commission completed its work."

"The nine-member Commission faced numerous obstacles in its work, the foremost being a united and relentless effort on the part of the gambling industry and its political allies to sabotage the Commission's work. In fact, the gambling industry succeeded in placing three members of the Nevada casino industry on the Commission. Another member was appointed to represent Native American gambling interests."

"In spite of this, the Commission's final report paints a dark-and often devastating-portrait of the effects of widespread legalized gambling on America's families and communities. The report received unanimous support from all nine commissioners. Given the composition of the commission, its findings must be taken as the bare minimum regarding the harms and ills associated with legalized gambling."