April 9, 2008

Gambling Action Alert

24 Hr. Gambling at Casinos

The Illinois Gaming Board held a special hearing on 24 hour gambling yesterday. Thanks to all who gave public comment. Jeannie Evans, Jerry Prosapio, Bette Thomas, Nancy Duel, Kathy Gilroy, Rev. Claude King, and Rev. Al Sharp. They did a wonderful job! Thank you, too, to all of you who wrote letters and faxed them to the Gaming Board.

The Illinois Gaming Board could decide on 24 hr. gambling at their next meeting (April 22). We need Letters to the Editor (sample below) and more letters to the Gaming Board before April 22.

For Immediate Action

  1. Write a Letter to the Editor and e-mail or send it to your local/area newspaper.
  2. If you have not done so, write a letter to the Illinois Gaming Board at 160 N. LaSalle, Suite 300, Chicago, IL 60601 and mail before April 22.
  3. Share this Action Alert with your Church, Synagogue, or Mosque.
  4. Forward to 10 others.

Sample Letter to the Editor (250 words or less)

Casinos have known problems associated with the use of their product. That is why the Illinois General Assembly originally limited casino gambling to riverboats--cruises could not exceed 4 hours, and gambling could not be conducted while the riverboats were docked.

Now the casinos want the Illinois Gaming Board to eliminate the last remaining safeguard and allow the casinos to stay open 24 hour a day, 7 days a week.

While bartenders cannot serve customers who are drunk, there are no laws to force casinos to stop gamblers from losing everything. While more than 5,700 gamblers are in the Self-Exclusion Program, many more addicted gamblers continue to gamble and will only go home when the casinos close. Last month gamblers lost $147.7 million at Illinois casinos.

If the casinos never close, many addicted gamblers will continue to gamble well over 24 hours. Newspapers report of addicted gamblers who have gambled for 30, 48, 72, and 81 hours without stopping. One attorney, who recently filed a lawsuit, gambled for 4 or 5 days straight at casinos in Atlantic City and Las Vegas.

Allowing 24 hour gambling will impact public safety. Addicted gamblers seem more hurried and take more risks during their heavier gambling activity, and drive much like drunk drivers according to Dr. Valerie Lorenz. The combination of alcohol and gambling can lead to serious suicide attempts.

To voice your concerns, write the Illinois Gaming Board, 160 N. LaSalle, Suite 300, Chicago, IL 60601.

Anita Bedell

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