What are the odds …
September 24th, 2009 at 12:19pm Wally Haas
… of video poker being successfully implemented? Chuck Sweeny explored the Gaming Commission’s problems with regulating the games this morning. If you missed Chuck’s column, read it HERE.
Last night I attended a forum about video gambling at the NIU-Rockford campus. The event was hosted by Concerned Citizens for America and there were about 20 people present.
Richard Mitchell gave a PowerPoint presentation from the Coin Machine Operators Association perspective. It was titled “Separating Myth from Reality” which downplayed the social costs (addictive behavior is 0.1 percent less than it was in the 1970s) and emphasized what a good deal having video gambling was for citizens, municipalities and the state.
Mitchell was followed by the Rev. Tom Grey of Stop Predatory Gambling. Grey’s presentation included video of people who said their lives were ruined because they became addicted to video gambling.
There were a handful of tavern owners in the audience. They said that only the big corporations have been able to take advantage of legal gambling (riverboats, lottery, etc.) and saw video poker as a way “the little guy” could get a piece of the gambling pie. They said their businesses were struggling because of the economy and because of Illinois’ smoking ban and were hoping video gambling could help them make up for those losses.
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4 Comments Add your own
1. Bob Trojan | September 24th, 2009 at 12:57 pm
Maybe they should allow limited smoking areas instead of a complete ban. More government interference in business!
2. Illinoistom | September 24th, 2009 at 6:58 pm
The tavern owners don\’t want to give up their (wink wink) amusement only machines that only cost a $30 a year license (plus bribes) for a legitimate state controlled gaming terminal. Louisiana has come to regret legalizing terminals in every tavern. Why do we want another tax on the poor anyway? The best way to reduce state deficits is to cut spending, and lower corporate taxes to attract industry. Taxing the poor through gambling is cruel and unproductive in the long run.
3. Chuck Sweeny | September 24th, 2009 at 11:40 pm
Gambling is an entertainment choice. You don’t have to gamble. Those of you who think a war on gambling can be successful, I give you the spectacular War On Drugs, which has made America the country with 5 percent of the world’s population and 25 percent of the world’s prison population.
We did not learn a thing from the 18th amendment.
4. the dude abides | September 25th, 2009 at 10:28 am
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again:
Why should I listen to the Church’s opinion on gambling?
They’re seemingly 100% anti gambling, unless we’re talking about their fundraising casino nights, in which case, gambling is just harmless fun.
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