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adolescent gambling disorders: A quantitative synthesis and guide toward standard gambling <br />nomenclature." Journal of Gambling Studies, 12, 193 -214); and <br />WHEREAS, the fellowship of Gamblers Anonymous (gamblersanonymous.org) states <br />that compulsive gambling is an illness, progressive in its nature, which can never be cured, but <br />can be arrested. Compulsive gamblers cannot accept the fact that he or she is in the grip of a <br />progressive illness. These people have an inability or unwillingness to accept reality, are <br />emotionally insecure and immature; and <br />WHEREAS, the social and economic costs of legalized gambling would include divorce. <br />domestic abuse, suicide, work absences, welfare, incarceration, homelessness, and bankruptcy. <br />The National Coalition Against Legalized Gambling provides information that on the most <br />recent study of all the casino counties in the nation confirmed personal bankruptcy rates are <br />100% higher in counties with casinos than in counties without casinos (Gross, Ernie and Morse, <br />Edward. "The Impact of Casio Gambling on Bankruptcy Rates: A County Level Analysis ". p. 1). <br />A study of addicted gamblers revealed, `Between 20% and 30% of the respondents made actual <br />suicide attempts. No other addictive population has had as high a prevalence for attempts." <br />(Widgery, Robin, President of Social Systems. "Warning: Legal Gambling is a Costly Game." <br />1994 edition). Nevada has been the highest in the nation for suicides for 10 of the last 12 years. <br />(suicidology.org /); and <br />WHEREAS, jobs would be lost as local businesses, retail establishments, restaurants, <br />and entertainment venues shut down and their income is diverted to gambling activities and <br />facilities that would send a large percentage of their revenue to off - island interests. The National <br />Coalition Against Legalized Gambling quotes author Earl L. Grinols ( "Gambling in America, <br />Costs and Benefits ", p.p. 55 -92) that most casinos attract 80% or more of their market from within <br />35 -50 mile radius absorbing entertainment, restaurant, and hotel business, destroying other jobs in <br />the trade area, and eliminating their sales, employment, and property tax contributions; and <br />WHEREAS, the National Coalition Against Legalized Gambling provides information <br />from author Vickie Abt, Ph.D. (University of Pennsylvania) cited in "Executive Summary, <br />Casinos in Florida: An analysis of the Economic and Social Impacts, for the Florida Office of <br />Planning and Budgeting ") that legalizing gambling does not reduce illegal gambling and may <br />even increase it because untaxed illegal gambling operators may offer better odds and bigger <br />payoffs and even loans; and <br />WHEREAS, the National Coalition Against Legalized Gambling (spgfoundation.org /) <br />indicates that studies of crime and the cost of law enforcement increase when gambling is <br />introduced to an area. Their website describes the desperate need of gamblers needs to "chase" <br />and recover gambling losses which causes pathological gamblers often turn to crime. Fraud and <br />embezzlement become common among formerly hard - working and highly- trusted people. <br />Violent crimes also increase. Three years after the introduction of casinos in Atlantic City, there <br />was a tripling of total crimes. Per capita crime there jumped from 50th in the nation to first <br />(Schwer, R. Keith; Thompson, William N.; Nakamuro, Daryl; "Beyond the Limits of Recreation: <br />Social Costs of Gambling in Southern Nevada." p. 4). Comparing crime rates for murder, rape, <br />2 <br />