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Home My WebLink AboutRES 309 Draft 01 2008-2010COUNTY OF HAWAII RESOLUTION NO. 309 10 STATE OF HAWAII A RESOLUTION URGING OUR STATE LEGISLATORS TO OPPOSE ANY PROPOSED LEGISLATION LEGALIZING GAMBLING IN THE STATE OF HAWAII WHEREAS, the residents of the State of Hawai`i have consistently rejected all attempts to legalize gambling because they recognize the economically devastating effects of such action to individuals and families; and WHEREAS, the National Coalition Against Legalized Gambling (spgfoundation.org /) is adverse to legalized gambling and was formed in 1994 as a 501(c)3 not - for - profit educational organization dedicated to protecting the health and economy of our nation. It remains a nationwide grassroots cadre of concerned citizens and compiles information on the adverse personal, social, economic and public health impacts of gambling and disseminates it to citizens and policy- makers at the local, state and national level; and WHEREAS, the social costs generated by addicted gamblers exceed the income benefits by $3 to $6 for every dollar going to governments when crime, poverty, healthcare, and all other costs are included. The National Coalition Against Legalized Gambling states that gambling costs more than raising taxes, even for those who never gamble! Each compulsive gambler costs the economy between $14,006 and $22,077 per year. If 2% become addicted, that's $280 to $440 per year paid by every other citizen! (Grinols, Earl L., "Cutting the Cards and Craps, right thinking about gambling economics." P. 14.); and WHEREAS, the National Coalition Against Legalized Gambling comments that since gambling is highly addictive, legalizing it would increase the number of those addicted, particularly among young adults and risk- addicted individuals. Once gambling appears in a community, it brings a wave of addiction. In a mature gambling market, compulsive gambling typically seizes the lives of 1.5% to 2.5% of the adult population. Howard Shaffer of Harvard University, Addictions Department, (quoted by Kindt in "Managerial and Decision Economics" 22: p. 17 -63) states that: "Gambling is an addictive behavior, make no mistake about it .. Gambling has all the properties of a psychoactive substance, and again, the reason is that it changes the neurochemistry of the brain." The American Psychiatric Association says between 1% and 3% of the U.S. population is addicted to gambling, depending on location and demographics (American Psychiatric Association, DSM -IV, P.673). Youth have even higher addiction rates, between 4 an 8% (Shaffer, H.J. & Hall, M.N. (1996). "Estimating prevalence of adolescent gambling disorders: A quantitative synthesis and guide toward standard gambling nomenclature." Journal of Gambling Studies, 12, 193 -214); and 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. 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. 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 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 robbery, aggravated assault, burglary and motor vehicle theft reveals Nevada is the most dangerous place to live in the United States (Morgan Quitno Press, "Determining the Safest and Most Dangerous State Rankings" http:// www .governmentguide.com/community_ and_ home /where_i_live /factors.adp); and WHEREAS, tourists visit Hawaii to enjoy scenic beauty, idyllic climate, island culture, and as a family destination, but if legalized gambling were introduced, Hawai`i's image would change and tourism associated with beauty, idyllic climate, and island culture would further decline, the type of tourist encouraged to visit Hawaii would change, and /or illegal gambling syndicates and gambling -based crime will arrive in Hawaii; and WHEREAS, legalized gambling is a form of regressive tax, particularly in the case of lotteries, according to studies that find those in the lowest income bracket, the elderly, minorities and persons with the least amount of education or those who have beliefs in luck -based philosophies spend the greatest percentage of their income on tickets; and WHEREAS, the Hawaii Coalition Against Legalized Gambling's (hcalg.org/) mission statement, reads "Hawai`i Coalition Against Legalized Gambling is an alliance of organizations and citizens united in our commitment to a concerted effort to prevent the introduction of legalized gambling into the State of Hawaii. Membership and supporters of the Coalition include civic, conservation, education, environments, law enforcement, political, public health, religious, senior citizen, small business, youth and other community organizations.' ; and WHEREAS, Keith Whyte, executive director, National Council on Problem Gambling states; "Many people [have] terrible ideas about the odds. Our brains are just not wired to understand the difference between 500,000 to 1 and 50 million to I."; and WHEREAS, legalized gambling has a corrupting influence on state and city governments, often resulting in embezzlement and scandal, and further, governments should not subject their citizens to exploitation nor should they give youth the message that hard work is not a virtue, saving money is impractical, or that higher education should be disregarded. Government should not encourage luck -based activities which may lead to addiction; and WHEREAS, the Hawai`i State Association of Counties held a meeting on August 11, 2009, and took a position against legalized gambling in the State of Hawaii; and WHEREAS, the City and County of Honolulu voted on November 18, 2009, against legalized gambling (Resolution 09 -313); now, therefore, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAII that it urges legislators representing the various counties and specifically, the County of Hawai`i to oppose any legislation legalizing gambling in the State of Hawai`i. 3 ATTEST: BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the Clerk of the County of Hawai`i transmit copies of this Resolution to the Honorable Governor Linda Lingle, members of the Hawai`i State House of Representatives and the Hawai`i State Senate, the Mayors of each county, and the Chair and Council Members of each respective county. Dated at COUNTY COUNCIL County of Hawai`i Hilo, Hawai`i I hereby certify that the foregoing RESOLUTION was by the vote Indicated to the right hereof adopted by the COUNCIL of the County of Hawai`i on , Hawai`i, this day of , 2010. INTRODUCED BY: COUNTY CLERK CHAIRPERSON & PRESIDING OFFICER COUNCIL MEMBER, COUNTY OF HAWAII 4 Reference: RESOLUTION NO. ROLL CALL VOTE ENRIQUES FORD GREENWELL HOFFMANN IKEDA NAEOLE- BEASON ONISHI YAGONG YOSHIMOTO AYES NOES ABS C- 736 /PWIRC 309 10 EX