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Hoosier United Methodist News Archives
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October 2006 |
Welcome
Hoosiers heading toward more legalized gambling
... thousands of families that will be affected by poor credit, bankruptcy continued indebtedness, poverty, divorce and suicide are not being considered ... |
If you think we have gambling problems in Indiana now, just wait. Look what may be coming.
The state approaches an immense expansion of legalized gambling that could increase gambling profits in Indiana estimated at $1 billion a year. That's tempting because these new gambling dollars will yield the state more than an estimated $300 million in tax revenue, according to legalized-gambling supporters.
This new money will be made through the legalization of electronic gambling devices such as video poker. The plan is not the legalization of current Cherry Master-type machines now illegal yet found in lodges, private clubs, truck stops, coin-operated laundries, sandwich shops and back rooms across Indiana.
To help this expansion, the Indiana Licensed Beverage Association recently held a series of 11 public meetings across Indiana in American Legion, AmVets, Eagles and Moose lodges to build a statewide coalition to legalize electronic gambling devices through proposed legislation to the 2007 General Assembly. What's in it for those holding a liquor license? Legalized gambling will make them collectively hundreds of millions a dollars a year.
Why build coalitions now? Elections are right around the corner and the Indiana Licensed Beverage Association seeks to elect Hoosiers that favor the expansion of legalized gambling. After all, they argue that the state can't regulate or police the illegal machines that are out there. So let's legalize convenience gambling in every neighborhood pub across the state.
Unfortunately, as the pro-gambling lobby pulls out of the station again on its annual journey to the General Assembly, the thousands of families that will be affected by poor credit, bankruptcy, continued indebtedness, poverty, divorce and suicide are not being considered. Even the state gambling study released earlier this year, counted these tragedies as limited liabilities emphasizing the hundreds of thousands of dollars the state gains in gambling revenue. How sad.
We, as United Methodists, continue to believe that "gambling is a menace to society, deadly to the best interests of moral, social, economic, and spiritual life, and destructive of good government," as stated in the Social Principles of the church. As pastors and lay leaders in The United Methodist Church, we see first hand the destructive powers of the gambling industry in our state through social problems that affect us all.
More simply put, gambling is poor public policy. That is precisely why Ohio, Rhode Island and Nebraska all said 'no' to the expansion of gambling in their states. And the expansion of gambling is precisely why convenience gambling was at first everywhere in West Virginia from bars to grocery stores and ice cream parlors. Since then the governor continues to try to cut-back on this public menace because gambling is taking its predictable toll on the citizens of W.Va.
So where does Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels stand on this issue of expanding legalized gambling here in our state?
The Louisville (Ky.) Courier & Press asked Governor Daniels on Sept. 22 whether he would sign a bill to legalize gaming machines. He said he was open to the idea.
"I've said before the answer is 'maybe,' if it was tightly regulated." But if laws banning the machines are on the books, they ought to be enforced, Daniels said.
"If the Legislature wants to modify those laws, I'd sure look at it," Daniels said. "I think any such proposal would be tightly regulated, limited, and probably have the effect of reducing the total amount of Cherry Master gambling that went on in the state while assuring people that it was being done honestly."
But, Mr. Daniels, what about the hundreds of families that will be put at risk because legalized casino-style gambling will no longer be a destination? Casion-style gambling could be in every town and city in Indiana. And what guarantee is there that Cherry Master gambling won't continue illegally just as it does now because existing laws are not being enforced to the extent that they could be enforced? The argument that proposed electronic gambling devices is the answer to the current illegal gambling does doesn't hold true. This proposal is another propping up of an industry in distress. We should not be tempted to follow the false logic of the gambling industry and forget the social well being of our fellow Hoosiers.
Gambling researchers have stated for years that electronic gambling is highly addictive because there is no waiting time. It's instant and provides instantaneous gratification. And for those loosing, it gives quick chances to "win back" what they have lost, which in turn can cause them to lose again.
Fortunately, there will be opposition to any legislation favoring any expansion of gambling by the General Assembly in January. The tide is turning and citizens are becoming fed up with the evil side of legalized gambling. This past summer federal legislation banned Internet gambling in the U.S.
Yes, gambling is legal in Indiana. Yes, gambling continues to add social and financial costs in each community where gambling is present. The addiction continues to grow as gambling expands.
Now is the time to be counted, as we elect state legislators. Vote for those candidates who support no new expansion of gambling. Write and ask Governor Daniels to close down illegal Cherry Masters and other illegal forms of gambling and to rethink his position on legalized gambling.
Daniel R. Gangler
For more information on how you can make a difference, contact Lorin Clemenz, director of the Indiana Coalition Against Legalized Gambling, at 317-845-5655.
Last updated on 25 Apr 2008