Comment on Kindt's Paper.

The article presents criticism on researcher John W. Kindt's article "The Costs of Addicted Gamblers: Should the States Initiate Mega-Lawsuits Similar to the Tobacco Cases?" The primary criterion for inclusion of citations in Kindt's article is whether the materials support his position on the high social costs of gambling, especially casino gaming as opposed to whether the underlying research is competent or valid. Since Kindt wants to argue a position that is supported by very little refereed research, most of his citations are either from his own prior writings, from unpublished papers, presentations, or hearings, or from newspaper or magazine articles; There is little mainstream research cited, probably because it does not pass the ideological test of conforming to Kindt's convictions. There is little interest exhibited by the author in acknowledging any information that might run counter to his thesis that gambling is a very bad activity that has been thrust on to an unsuspecting and naive public by a clever gambling establishment particularly skilful at such deception. On the other hand, Kindt has little difficulty citing individuals who are in agreement with his beliefs.