Les Bernal is a man on a mission. As the national director of the nonprofit organization Stop Predatory Gambling, he has spent the past two decades fighting against what he calls the “corporate crime” of the gambling industry.
Bernal’s passion for this cause stems from personal experience. As a young man growing up in Boston, he watched his father become addicted to scratch-off lottery tickets, eventually leading to financial ruin and the breakup of his family.
“I saw firsthand the devastating impact that gambling can have on individuals and families,” Bernal said in a recent interview with Corporate Crime Reporter. “I knew that I had to do something to prevent others from going through the same pain and suffering.”
In 1999, Bernal co-founded Stop Predatory Gambling with a group of like-minded individuals who shared his concerns about the gambling industry. Since then, the organization has been at the forefront of the fight against what they describe as a “predatory” business model that preys on vulnerable individuals and communities.
“We’re not against gambling per se,” Bernal explained. “What we’re against is the way that the industry operates – targeting low-income neighborhoods, seniors, and other vulnerable populations with deceptive marketing tactics and exploitative business practices.”
One of the key issues that Bernal and Stop Predatory Gambling are focused on is the proliferation of electronic gambling machines, such as slot machines and video poker terminals, in casinos and other venues. These machines, Bernal argues, are designed to be highly addictive and can lead to severe financial and emotional consequences for those who become hooked.
“We’ve seen time and again how these machines can destroy lives and devastate families,” Bernal said. “They are the crack cocaine of gambling, and they need to be regulated and controlled in a much more stringent manner than they currently are.”
Bernal and Stop Predatory Gambling have worked tirelessly to raise awareness about the dangers of electronic gambling machines and other forms of predatory gambling. They have lobbied lawmakers, spoken at public forums, and engaged in grassroots organizing efforts to push for reform.
Their efforts have not gone unnoticed. In recent years, several states have passed legislation aimed at curbing the expansion of electronic gambling machines and implementing stricter regulations on the industry. Bernal sees these victories as a sign that public opinion is shifting in favor of greater oversight and accountability for the gambling industry.
But despite these advances, Bernal knows that the fight is far from over. He remains committed to advocating for policies that will protect consumers from the harm caused by predatory gambling and hold the industry accountable for its practices.
“The gambling industry operates like a corporate crime syndicate, profiting off of the misery of others,” Bernal said. “But we won’t rest until we’ve put an end to their predatory practices and ensured that gambling is a safe and responsible form of entertainment for everyone.”
