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The Stop Predatory Gambling Foundation has come out swinging against the Nevada lobbying group, American Gaming Association (AGA), for its advertisements suggesting the new film “Runner, Runner” is a cautionary tale depicting the ills of an unregulated online gambling industry.
The AGA draws parallels with the film and the current offshore betting environment as a means of educating the public and policyholders to the importance of regulation within the US.
SPGF says “not so fast”.
"Casino operators now hope to expand another key demographic to their base: young people, especially those of college age, which is why the AGA greedily seized upon Runner, Runner," SPGF national director Les Bernal wrote in a letter to that organization.
He called the ads “dishonest” and is demanding that the AGA ads be taken down.
The Stop Predatory Gambling Foundation advisory comes at a time when Nevada’s own gambling sector has received a black eye following the indictment of former Cantor Gaming executive Mike Colbert late last year. Cantor Gaming is one of the biggest licensed operators of sportsbooks in the Silver State.
Mr. Colbert plead guilty last week to violating gambling laws within the US and admitted his role in a multi-million dollar illegal sports betting ring. Colbert is now reportedly implicating others from Cantor in the conspiracy.
“Runner, Runner” writers David Levien and Brian Koppelman told Reuters that they were surprised and amused by the casino lobby's campaign.
The film, which premiered nationwide today (October 4, 2013), has been widely panned by critics.
- Jagajeet Chiba, Gambling911.com
