Letter to the Editor
Illinois, Land of the Deal?
Desire for revenue = opportunity to expand gambling
Gambling expansion is "on the table" during the final days of the Legislative Session. Gambling always promises more than it delivers. Has the Lottery solved the problem with education funding in Illinois? Have riverboat casinos increased tourism and solved economic development problems? The answer is NO. However, what it has done is cheat Illinois citizens out of billions of dollars. The state receives a small portion of the revenue, families lose, and gambling interests win.
Campaign contributions fuel the yearly debate whether to expand gambling. Politicians use the desire for more revenue as an opportunity to expand gambling to pay for construction projects, mass transit, road repair, education, new programs, etc. How much money will people have to lose at gambling for the state to get revenue to pay for these programs? The bulk of the money will come from addicted The state should not encourage people to gamble.
Gambling is an unstable source of revenue that harms individuals, families, and communities-- addiction, bankruptcy, crime, corruption, family problems and suicide. For every $1 of revenue from gambling, the cost to society is $3.
Gambling has not and can not solve the state's budget problems. Expanding gambling will only increase problems.
Call your Legislators (217-782-2000) and the Governor (800-642-3112) and tell them NO MORE GAMBLING!
Anita Bedell, Executive Director
Illinois Church Action on Alcohol & Addiction Problems
1132 W. Jefferson St.
Springfield, IL 62702
Phone: 217-546-6871