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Pennsylvania Considering Gambling despite Opposition
HARRISBURG, Pa., May 28 /PRNewswire/ -- The following was issued today by Pennsylvanians Against Gambling Expansion:
Fancy acronyms aside, the introduction of casino-style gambling into Pennsylvania -- in the form of slot machines at race tracks -- would bring troubles that far outweigh any perceived tax benefits. Pennsylvania's General Assembly should just say "No!" to any expansion of legalized gambling in Pennsylvania.
"There is undeniable evidence that slot machines are highly addictive," said Michael Geer of Pennsylvanians Against Gambling Expansion. "And with that addiction comes family breakup, suicide, white-collar crime and other serious troubles.
"All we would be doing is Bringing Others' Troubles Here; not helping Pennsylvania, but hurting it," added Geer. Proponents of slots at the tracks say the tax revenue will help us out of our budget deficit, pay for new programs -- even teach our toddlers.
Slots for tots is a terrible idea, and a degrading message to send to children. Encouraging addiction to slot machines so we can pay for prescription drugs is unethical. The notion that gambling will solve our budget problems is a hoax. Just look at Illinois, for example.
Illinois has had several forms of casino gambling for nearly a decade, and this year faces a budget deficit nearing $2 billion. It's the same in other gambling states. Gambling does not solve budget problems -- it only leads to the addiction of the government.
"The horse track owners, like Penn National Gaming are making money hand- over-fist as it is," said Michael Geer. "For them to now seek a state gambling monopoly, bring addiction, social pathologies and even damage to other businesses to further line their pockets is a travesty." Penn National Gaming just announced another stock split, and has been seeing double-digit income increases every quarter for years.
Studies have indicated that introduction of slot machines at race tracks greatly increases gambling addiction within a 50-mile radius of the racino, hurting families, businesses and neighborhoods. Businesses, especially restaurants in that same vicinity also see significant damaging results, as citizens spend their money at the tracks, and not elsewhere.
In order to gain as much in tax revenue as the slot supporters promise, Pennsylvanians would have to LOSE as much as TWO AND A HALF BILLON DOLLARS A YEAR. That's money that would otherwise be spent at the local grocery store or restaurant, or at local shops and merchants, on vacation or at the local amusement park. Or for college education or retirement savings. Or for a family's next meal.
Second, legitimate academic studies have demonstrated that government must spend between $1.50 and $2.65 dealing with social costs and regulation for every dollar in taxes raised. How can this be a good deal for Pennsylvanians? A tax on those who can least afford it (since the poor gamble at a much higher proportion than the general population), that results in a net loss for the treasury. Certainly a very bad bet.
True economic development does not come from asking our citizens to gamble their money away. As Governor Ridge so aptly put it in his farewell address, "when it comes to gambling ... there are many, many losers." Let's not make Pennsylvania one of them.
Fancy acronyms aside, the introduction of casino-style gambling into Pennsylvania -- in the form of slot machines at race tracks -- would bring troubles that far outweigh any perceived tax benefits. Pennsylvania's General Assembly should just say "No!" to any expansion of legalized gambling in Pennsylvania.
"There is undeniable evidence that slot machines are highly addictive," said Michael Geer of Pennsylvanians Against Gambling Expansion. "And with that addiction comes family breakup, suicide, white-collar crime and other serious troubles.
"All we would be doing is Bringing Others' Troubles Here; not helping Pennsylvania, but hurting it," added Geer. Proponents of slots at the tracks say the tax revenue will help us out of our budget deficit, pay for new programs -- even teach our toddlers.
Slots for tots is a terrible idea, and a degrading message to send to children. Encouraging addiction to slot machines so we can pay for prescription drugs is unethical. The notion that gambling will solve our budget problems is a hoax. Just look at Illinois, for example.
Illinois has had several forms of casino gambling for nearly a decade, and this year faces a budget deficit nearing $2 billion. It's the same in other gambling states. Gambling does not solve budget problems -- it only leads to the addiction of the government.
"The horse track owners, like Penn National Gaming are making money hand- over-fist as it is," said Michael Geer. "For them to now seek a state gambling monopoly, bring addiction, social pathologies and even damage to other businesses to further line their pockets is a travesty." Penn National Gaming just announced another stock split, and has been seeing double-digit income increases every quarter for years.
Studies have indicated that introduction of slot machines at race tracks greatly increases gambling addiction within a 50-mile radius of the racino, hurting families, businesses and neighborhoods. Businesses, especially restaurants in that same vicinity also see significant damaging results, as citizens spend their money at the tracks, and not elsewhere.
In order to gain as much in tax revenue as the slot supporters promise, Pennsylvanians would have to LOSE as much as TWO AND A HALF BILLON DOLLARS A YEAR. That's money that would otherwise be spent at the local grocery store or restaurant, or at local shops and merchants, on vacation or at the local amusement park. Or for college education or retirement savings. Or for a family's next meal.
Second, legitimate academic studies have demonstrated that government must spend between $1.50 and $2.65 dealing with social costs and regulation for every dollar in taxes raised. How can this be a good deal for Pennsylvanians? A tax on those who can least afford it (since the poor gamble at a much higher proportion than the general population), that results in a net loss for the treasury. Certainly a very bad bet.
True economic development does not come from asking our citizens to gamble their money away. As Governor Ridge so aptly put it in his farewell address, "when it comes to gambling ... there are many, many losers." Let's not make Pennsylvania one of them.