RES 309 Draft 02 2008-2010 - Laserfiche WebLink

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WHEREAS, the fellowship of Gamblers Anonymous (gamblersanonymous.org) states that compulsive gambling is an illness, progressive in its nature, which can never be cured, but can be arrested. Compulsive gamblers cannot accept the fact that he or she is in the grip of a progressive illness. These people have an inability or unwillingness to accept reality, are emotionally insecure and immature; and WHEREAS, the social and economic costs of legalized gambling would include divorce, domestic abuse, suicide, work absences, welfare, incarceration, homelessness, and bankruptcy (Politzer, Morrow and Leavey 1981; Better Government Association 1992; Florida Budget Office 1994). The National Coalition Against Legalized Gambling provides information that on the most recent study of all the casino counties in the nation confirmed personal bankruptcy rates are 100% higher in counties with casinos than in counties without casinos (Gross, Ernie and Morse, Edward. "The Impact of Casio Gambling on Bankruptcy Rates: A County Level Analysis ". p.1). A study of addicted gamblers revealed, "Between 20% and 30% of the respondents made actual suicide attempts. No other addictive population has had as high a prevalence for attempts." (Widgery, Robin, President of Social Systems. "Warning: Legal Gambling is a Costly Game." 1994 edition). Nevada has been the highest in the nation for suicides for 10 of the last 12 years (suicidology.org/); and WHEREAS, jobs would be lost as local businesses, retail establishments, restaurants, and entertainment venues shut down and their income is diverted to gambling activities and facilities that would send a large percentage of their revenue to off -island interests (Politzer, Morrow and Leavey 1981; Better Government Association 1992; Florida Budget Office 1994). The National Coalition Against Legalized Gambling quotes author Earl L. Grinols ( "Gambling in America, Costs and Benefits ", p.p. 55 -92) that most casinos attract 80% or more of their market from within a 35 -50 mile radius absorbing entertainment, restaurant, and hotel business, destroying other jobs in the trade area, and eliminating their sales, employment, and property tax contributions; and WHEREAS, the National Coalition Against Legalized Gambling provides information from author Vickie Abt, Ph.D. (University of Pennsylvania) cited in "Executive Summary, Casinos in Florida: An analysis of the Economic and Social Impacts, for the Florida Office of Planning and Budgeting ") that legalizing gambling does not reduce illegal gambling and may even increase it because untaxed illegal gambling operators may offer better odds and bigger payoffs and even loans; and WHEREAS, the National Coalition Against Legalized Gambling (spgfoundation.org /) indicates that studies of crime and the cost of law enforcement increase when gambling is introduced to an area. Their website describes the desperate need of gamblers needs to "chase" and recover gambling losses which causes pathological gamblers often turn to crime. Fraud and embezzlement become common among formerly hard- working and highly - trusted people. Violent crimes also increase. Three years after the introduction of casinos in Atlantic City, there was a tripling of total crimes. Per capita crime there jumped from 50th in the nation to first (Schwer, R. Keith; Thompson, William N.; Nakamuro, Daryl; "Beyond the Limits of Recreation: Social Costs of Gambling in Southern Nevada." p. 4). Comparing crime rates for murder, rape, 2