 Why does the author think Tom Grey is fighting a losing battle?
She begins referring to the "gaming industry." It is tough slogging, but for the first time I sense that this commission--though divided, underfunded, timid, and without any power beyond exhortation--isn't entirely useless. This effort has largely succeeded, because Vegas is still the dominant image of American gambling, if not the dominant reality. Judging by today's hearings and by conversations with most of the commissioners, the tobacco model is winning. The testimony clearly impresses the commissioners and seems especially to impress the three nonaligned commissioners who will be the swing votes on the June 1999 report. It is starting to become clear what that report will say. Instead it will opt for small, targeted policies, concentrating on compulsive gambling. Similarly, the commission will try to reduce gamblers' access to cash by limiting the size of ATM advances and prodding casinos to remove the machines from their floors. In short, it will treat gambling as a tobaccolike vice. If the comments of the pro-industry commissioners can be believed, the industry will happily endorse such a report. It has already established a (mostly) independent center to fund research into pathological gambling. I suspect that the industry will not only agree to the commission's recommendations but will become their strongest advocate. Because it provides superb cover for them. It medicalizes the problem of compulsive gambling, blaming it on psychological abnormality rather than industry machination.
 Rev. Grey is trying to warn against the dangers of gambling, but the atmosphere of Vegas makes people feel like they can win and be successful.
 Rev. Grey and his organization do not have the financial backing to fight a political battle with the casinos.  Rev. Grey is trying to warn against the dangers of gambling, but the atmosphere of Vegas makes people feel like they can win and be successful.  Rev. Grey is trying to warn against the dangers of gambling, but his efforts are drowned out by the powerful lobbyists.  People go to Las Vegas specifically to gamble and maybe engage in questionable behavior. They want the thrills Vegas provides. People don't go to be lectured about sinners and morals.