Economic Critic of Gambling Gets Thumbs Down from Peer Review
Illinois professor John Kindt has been covered heavily by the media for his criticism of the gambling industry as the online gaming debate heats up. Kindt has authored books accusing casinos and gambling of causing crime, suicide, addiction, terrorism, economic disaster, and the weakening of national security and defense.
But observers say Kindt's presentation misinterprets statistics, manufacturers facts without evidence, and violates all rules of scholarship and scientific research. Even Kindt's scholarly peers find his work tainted by subjectivity, as noted by Dr. Jon Griffin in the Drake Law Review.
Donlon discusses Kindt's book, the Economic Impacts of Legalized Gambling Activities, and finds Kindt wanting in methodology and presentation. In fact, Donlon goes so far as to title his report Excessive Zeal, confirming the beliefs of gaming analysts who have called Kindt a zealot.
Donlon notes that the Kindt study questions "whether gambling activities help or hinder the economy."
"Unfortunately, rather than follow a rigorous academic methodology to pursue the title or the fundamental question, the article was prepared in a persuasive style," says Donlon.
Donlon asserts the Kindt work "does not conform to the conventions of scholarship, including the appearance of impartiality, intellectual distance, and due source skepticism."
Donlon finds that Kindt "relies on a range of rhetorical devices common to advertising, public relations, editorializing, and ideological discourse."
Kindt's thrashing by a scientific peer has not prevented him from continuing to publish and speak about the horrors of gaming, nor has it led to a chastened approach to a higher standard of objectivity.
