Gambling
Ban Video Slot Machines in Rockford
Dear Friends,
Elected officials in the City of Rockford are planning to vote on an ordinance to ban video gambling machines within city limits. The proposal goes to the full Rockford City Council on January 11th, with a vote expected on January 18th at 6 p.m. at Rockford City Hall (425 East State Street).
There are 5 Aldermen whose positions are unknown. Please contact Rockford Mayor Larry J. Morrissey and your Alderman before Monday and try to attend the meeting. Bring your neighbors. Your presence will make a huge impact on the vote.
Take ACTION: Click HERE to send an email to Mayor Morrissey and the five Aldermen (listed below) to encourage them to vote in favor of the video gambling ban.
Read more...
Ban Video Slot Machines in Palos Park
Dear Friends,
Palos Park elected officials are planning to vote on an ordinance to ban video gambling machines within city limits. The debate and vote will take place on Monday, January 11th at 7:30 PM at the Kaptur Administrative Center 8999 W. 123rd Street.
There are 3 Commissioners whose positions are unknown. Please contact the Mayor John Mahoney and Commissioners before Monday and try to attend this meeting. Bring your neighbors. Your presence will make a huge impact on the vote.
Take ACTION: Please call the Village Hall and tell the secretary, Sally, that you favor a ban. Ask her to pass that along to all the Commissioners. 708-671-3705
Read more...
Illinois Lottery Ad Offensive to Christians
Promoting An Addiction and False Hope
It is clear the Christmas season represents different things to many Americans. Some see the season as an opportunity to attack Christianity and manipulate this part of the year to serve their agenda. Others look at the federal holiday of Christmas as a means to increase their financial bottom line regarding sales of merchandise. This is illustrated perfectly by the term "Black Friday" which connotes the day after Thanksgiving which merchandisers see as a day to make maximum profit for the year through marketing gimmickry, all pointing towards sales surrounding Christmas. It is interesting the use of the term "Black Friday" is connected with what should be a time of joy, light and celebration.
I believe some of what I mentioned above may simply be a sign of the times. Certainly every business owner does not look at Christmas as a time to ensure that their company is financially solvent. But a new ad campaign promoting the Illinois Lottery crosses the line. The commercial currently airing across the state is using a Christmas hymn to promote the sale of lottery tickets. Viewers are led to believe by simply scratching off a place on a lottery ticket they can provide gifts to those who are special to them; of course, that is, if you are a winner in a game where the odds are heavily tilted in favor of the state, as is the case with any for-profit endeavor involving gambling.
Read more...
 | Will County Courthouse
302 N. Chicago Street
Joliet, IL 60432 |
IFI Update: Video Gambling Ban Hearings in Will County
Thanks to our state lawmakers, Illinois has a new gambling law which allows video gambling machines in local establishments where liquor is served. In other words, we will soon have mini-casinos in neighborhoods throughout Illinois -- at our favorite family restaurants (Applebee's, Portillo's, Pizza Hut, etc), banquet halls, bowling alleys, truck stops and corner taverns.
In response to this anti-family legislation, DuPage and Lake County Boards voted unanimously to pass legislation banning video poker in unincorporated areas of those counties. Then, on October 6th, Cook County followed by passing similar legislation. Dozens of other local municipalities are also considering similar protective measures to ban video gambling machines in their communities.
Take ACTION: The Will County Board will hold two public hearings on whether to ban video gaming in unincorporated areas on Wednesday, October 21st from 6 to 9pm in the County Board Room, 302 N. Chicago Street in Joliet. The second hearing will take place at the same location on November 18th from 6 to 9pm. If residents are unable to attend one of the public hearings, they are encouraged to contact their county board members HERE.
The Will County Board is expected to vote on the matter at the November 19th board meeting.
Read more...
Video Gambling Update
10/15/2009 10:20:00 AM By Anita Bedell, Executive Director
- ILCAAAP
A bill (HB 4629) to repeal the Video Gambling Act has been introduced by Rep. Jack Franks. Contact your State Legislators and the Governor to tell them you support the repeal. The Veto Session is October 14-16 and October 28-30.
The Illinois Gaming Board has requested additional staff and funds to regulate video gambling.
Quinn said his staff is working to come up with more money for the agency, but noted he has other priorities heading into next week's fall legislative session, according to the Chicago Tribune news blog.
Naperville city council voted 7-0 on Tuesday to prohibit video gambling machines. The new ordinance says the machines would "present a variety of adverse impacts on the residents of Naperville including the potential for corruption, impact on the costs of law enforcement, regulatory difficulties and high social costs."
Read more...
VIdeo Gambling Town Hall Meeting in Woodstock
IFI has been working with other activists to try and mitigate the harms that the Video Poker law will bring to our communities. This legislation, signed by Gov. Pat Quinn, will allow any establishment that serves liquor to have up to 5 video poker machines. This would make Illinois the number one state for gambling (even beating out Nevada). Fortunately, this new law allows local municipalities to ban the video poker machines - and that is what IFI and other anti-gambling activists are working toward!
Our friends at Patriots United will be holing a Town Hall Meeting where to discuss the Video Gaming issue and the pros and cons for McHenry County area. IFI's Dave Smith will be there to advocate for a county ban of video poker. The meeting promises to be informative.
Read more...
IFI Update Video Gambling Ban in Wheaton
Thanks to our state lawmakers, Illinois has a new gambling law which allows video gambling machines in local establishments where liquor is served. In other words, we will soon have mini-casinos in neighborhoods throughout Illinois -- at our favorite family restaurants (Applebee's, Portillo's, Pizza Hut, etc), banquet halls, bowling alleys, truck stops and corner taverns.
In response to this anti-family legislation, the DuPage County Board voted unanimously last month to pass legislation banning video poker in unincorporated areas of the county. Dozens of other local municipalities are considering similar legislation to ban video gambling machines in their communities.
Take ACTION: The Wheaton City Council expected to vote Monday, Oct. 5th on a local law prohibiting the video gambling machines. The Daily Herald newspaper quotes Mayor Michael Gresk as saying "I don't think (video gambling) is appropriate for our city. It's not the kind of entertainment we want in Wheaton." (Read more HERE.)
Read more...
IFI Reminder: Video Gambling Ban in Kane County
Thanks to our state lawmakers, Illinois has a new gambling law which allows video gambling machines in local establishments where liquor is served. In other words, we will soon have mini-casinos in neighborhoods throughout Illinois -- at our favorite family restaurants (Applebee's, Portillo's, Pizza Hut, etc), banquet halls, bowling alleys, truck stops and corner taverns.
In response to this anti-family legislation, the DuPage County Board voted unanimously last month to pass legislation banning video poker in unincorporated areas of the county. Dozens of other local municipalities are considering similar legislation to ban video gambling machines in their communities.
Read more...
Tribune Poll Finds Nearly 60 Percent Oppose Video Gambling
9/10/2009 10:50:00 AM
By Bob Secter and Rick Pearson, Tribune reporters
If given the chance to vote on issue, most would reject key funding aspect of public works bill.
September 9, 2009
Opposition to video gambling has softened in the last six years, but nearly 60 percent of Illinois voters say they would cast a ballot to ban poker machines in their local bars and restaurants if given the chance, a Tribune/WGN poll found.
Long part of discussions about expanding gambling in the state, legalized video poker became a reality this year when Gov. Pat Quinn signed legislation as part of a financing scheme for a $31 billion public works program.
To ease concerns from local officials, the new law allows counties, cities and towns to ban gambling within their boundaries or gives voters the right to seek a referendum to decide the issue. The new law carves out a slice of tax revenues from the machines for local governments, but any locale that bans video gambling doesn't get to share in the bounty.
Read more...
IFI Update Video Gambling Ban in Champaign County
Thanks to our state lawmakers, Illinois has a new gambling law which allows video gambling machines in local establishments where liquor is served. In other words, we will soon have mini-casinos in neighborhoods throughout Illinois -- at our favorite family restaurants (Applebee's, Portillo's, Pizza Hut, etc), banquet halls, bowling alleys, truck stops and corner taverns.
In response to this anti-family legislation, the DuPage County Board voted unanimously last month to pass legislation banning video poker in unincorporated areas of the county. Dozens of other local municipalities are considering similar legislation to ban video gambling machines in their communities.
Read more...
IFI Update Video Gambling Ban in Naperville
Thanks to our state lawmakers, Illinois has a new gambling law which allows video gambling machines in local establishments where liquor is served. In other words, we will soon have mini-casinos in neighborhoods throughout Illinois -- at our favorite family restaurants (Applebee's, Portillo's, Pizza Hut, etc), banquet halls, bowling alleys, truck stops and corner taverns.
In response to this anti-family legislation, the DuPage County Board voted unanimously last month to pass legislation banning video poker in unincorporated areas of the county. Dozens of other local municipalities are considering similar legislation to ban video gambling machines in their communities.
Read more...
IFI Update Video Gambling Ban in Mt. Prospect
Thanks to our state lawmakers, Illinois has a new gambling law which allows video gambling machines in local establishments where liquor is served. In other words, we will soon have mini-casinos in neighborhoods throughout Illinois -- at our favorite family restaurants (Applebee's, Portillo's, Pizza Hut, etc), banquet halls, bowling alleys, truck stops and corner taverns.
In response to this anti-family legislation, the DuPage County Board voted unanimously last month to pass legislation banning video poker in unincorporated areas of the county. Dozens of other local municipalities are considering similar legislation to ban video gambling machines in their communities.
Read more...
Telling Billboard
The Horseshoe Casino's billboard below can be found at multiple spots along I-80. In my travels across Illinois, I've passed them countless times over the past few months, and I've just got to ask:Do we really have to wonder why the casino wants you to gamble for 30 minutes before they buy you lunch? 
BTW -- billboards in the Chicagoland area cost between $3,000 to $5,000 a month to operate.
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 | ACTION:
If you are willing to be a contact person/coordinator for your city or church, please contact us immediately at 708-781-9328 or email us HERE. |
Video Gambling in Your Neighborhood
8/20/2009 5:59:00 AM
By John Stob , President
-South Suburban Coalition Against Gambling Expansion
On July 13, 2009, Governor Pat Quinn signed House Bill 255 legalizing Video Poker and Internet Lottery for the State of Illinois. HB 255 is the largest gambling expansion bill in the history of Illinois and will allow every licensed retail establishment that serves alcohol to install up to 5 video gambling machines each. This means that every neighborhood restaurant, bar, banquet hall, bowling alley, billiard parlor, truck stop, hotel, and veteran/fraternal club could become a mini-casino! As many as 45,000 video gambling machines may be legalized around the state!
Because video poker is one of the most addictive forms of gambling, experts are now calling it the "crack cocaine" of gambling. Last February, after Cook County officers seized 31 illegal poker machines from 10 businesses, Sheriff Tom Dart told news radio station (WBBM-AM 780) that poker machines are "some of the most insidious gambling devices that are out there."
Read more...
IFI Update: Ban on Video Poker Passes in DuPage!
We have some good news to report!! The DuPage County Board unanimously voted Tuesday morning to pass legislation banning video poker in unincorporated areas of the county.
IFI is working with ILCAAAP and other pro-family advocates urging other counties and municipalities to follow suit. Please consider encouraging your local officials to introduce legislation to ban video gambling machines in their jurisdictions.
Rosemont, Country Club Hills, and Rochester have also passed ordinances to ban video gambling machines.
Read more...
IFI Update: Speaker Madigan Says "No" to Gambling Expansion
According to Chicago's CBS Channel 2 News, Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) issued the following statement late Tuesday afternoon:"I learned from the process of killing the Blagojevich gambling proposals that gambling is not a wholesome activity, and we're not going to deal with that this year." This is fantastic news! (Read the entire CBS Channel 2 News story HERE.)
With gambling expansion off the table now, lawmakers have only two viable options to deal with our state's budget deficit:1.) Increase taxes
2.) Cut wasteful government spending
Read more...
Wall Street Journal Article Speaks to Shortsightedness of Gambling
As an economic-development tool, gambling is far from a sure bet, analysts explain in a Wall Street Journal article, saying that 2008 has proven that the industry is not recession proof as once thought. The article about the push in many states to legalize or expand gambling says the rush to do either of those is short-sighted. Several state lotteries have reported significant drops in sales, while gambling revenue in the key markets of Las Vegas and Atlantic City has plummeted.
Read more...
 | TAKE ACTION:
Please CLICK HERE to contact Governor Blagojevich and your State Representative to ask them to vote AGAINST additional gambling sites in Illinois. |
Gambling Action Alert: 7 Applicants for the 10th Casino License
The Illinois Gaming Board met today and announced the location, companies, and bid of the seven applicants for the 10th casino license. They are listed in the order they were received:
Calumet City -- Calumet Gaming -- $150 million bid
Des Plaines -- Midwest Gaming & Entertainment -- $100 million
Rosemont -- Trilliant Gaming -- $435 million
Stickney -- Hawthorne Racetrack -- $150 million
Country Club Hills -- CCH Gaming Partners -- $60 million
Waukegan -- Waukegan Gaming LLC -- $225 million
Harvey -- South Side Casino LLC -- $175 million
Read more...
Is Illinois gambling with addiction?
7/23/2008 2:41:00 PM By Joseph Ryan, Daily Herald Staff
- Daily Herald
The state falls short in help for addicts, despite reaping billions from gambling losses
(Second of three parts)
For Meg, the weekly Gamblers Anonymous meetings didn't work.
"I just did it to show my husband and my family I didn't have a problem," says the middle-class suburban mother of two.
That way, she could continue dropping hundreds of thousands of dollars - most of it in credit card advances and casino loans - into video poker machines as she drove her family into bankruptcy after embezzling from her boss.
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 | TAKE ACTION: Please CLICK HERE to contact Governor Blagojevich and your State Representative to ask them to vote AGAINST more gambling in Illinois. |
Coalition Recommends Massive Expansion of Gambling to fund Capital Construction
Co-Chairs of the Governor's Illinois Works Coalition, former Speaker Dennis Hassert and Glenn Poshard, president of Southern Illinois University, recently recommended a massive expansion of gambling to help fund a $31 billion capital construction plan. The expansion includes:
Leasing the Lottery (Internet Lottery and Video Lottery Terminals are possible expansions)
A casino in Chicago
One additional casino
Slot machines at racetracks
Expansion of gambling positions at existing casinos
Read more...
Detroit Casinos Serve as Example for Illinois
Three Detroit casinos similar to those proposed by Illinois lawmakers have fallen about a half-billion dollars short of initial projections and created thousands fewer jobs than predicted in what could be stark warning. According to a recent Boston Herald article, developers, politicians and casino proponents promised that three Detroit casinos would rake in up to $1.8 billion but in 2007 the gambling parlors took in $1.335 billion, according to the Michigan Gaming Control Board.
Read more...
Update on Gambling Legislation
1/11/2008 5:24:00 PM By Anita Bedell, Executive Director
- ILCAAAP
The House adjourned without considering the massive gambling expansion bill (HB 4194). The House and Senate both passed a stand-alone mass transit bill and did not link a capital construction bill to gambling expansion as proposed. Just as we thought we could breath a sign of relief that we had escaped the largest gambling expansion proposal in the history of the State, the governor announced his plan to amend the transit bill. Legislators will have to come back to Springfield to vote again.
Some downstate lawmakers said it was a mistake for their colleagues to vote for a Chicago transit plan before there is an agreement on a plan to repair and build roads, bridges and schools. "What ticks me off, though, is our House Democratic colleagues," said Rep. Chapin Rose, R-Mahomet, saying they should have withheld their support for a transit fix in hopes of getting a construction plan. http://www.southernillinoisan.com/articles/2008/01/11/front_page/22915158.txt
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 | ACTION: Please CLICK HERE to contact your legislators and ask them to vote 'AGAINST' more gambling in Illinois. |
Some Prominent Liberals Recognize the Dangers of Gambling -- Do Springfield Lawmakers?
The liberal New York Times editorial board published an op/ed earlier this week critical of gambling in general, and lottery games in particular, saying "...it is the humble and ubiquitous lottery that looks like the most insidious form of gambling."
The Times continues to say that "[l]awmakers pretend that lotteries make new taxes unnecessary. But lotteries are a tax, an inefficient, badly targeted one that is having a devastating impact on poor communities and beyond." (CLICK HERE to read the full editorial.)
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 | [Click picture to enlarge.]
ACTION:
CLICK HERE to contact the governor & your state rep. to ask them to OPPOSE more gambling. |
State House Leaders Unveil (Another) New Gambling Expansion Plan
House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago), Rep. Lou Lang (D-Chicago), and Rep. Robert Molaro (D-Chicago) unveiled the House Democrats' massive gambling expansion plan Monday morning. This bill, (HB 4194) which is 460 pages long, will create new, independent Gaming and Racing Boards and triple the amount of casino gambling in Illinois, including:A city-owned casino in Chicago with 4,000 gambling positions.
Competitive bidding for the 10th casino license and an additional casino (11th license) with 1,200 positions-these could be state-owned casinos.
3,500 additional gambling positions at existing casinos-388 each, which can be located on land. Those not used can be purchased by the other casinos.
Read more...
 | TAKE ACTION: Please CLICK HERE to contact Governor Blagojevich and your State Representative to ask them to vote AGAINST more gambling in Illinois. |
Illinois voters oppose gambling expansion 2 to 1
10/26/2007 1:45:00 PM By David E. Smith, IFI Executive Director
Political leaders in Springfield are playing a dangerous game against the very people they represent -- literally stacking the deck in an effort to raise "easy" revenue even though a recent Rasmussen Poll suggests that Illinois voters OPPOSE the expansion of gambling almost 2 to 1.
Conservative lawmakers cannot afford to take this "easy" avenue to secure more money for construction and social programs. They must recognize how gambling, specifically a new casino for Chicago, will hurt the conservative movement and message in the greater Chicagoland area.
Read more...
 | Please CLICK HERE to contact your legislators and ask them to vote for 'NO' to more gambling in Illinois. |
Gambling Affects Family, Culture and Children
On October 3rd, I traveled to the state capitol to join Anita Bedell, Executive Director of ILCAAAP (Illinois Church Action on Alcohol and Addiction Problems) for a press conference, a rally, and a chance to lobby against the most recent push to expand gambling.
The prospect of at least three resort-style casinos in Illinois has become a political reality now that Governor Rod Blagojevich and Senate President Emil Jones have decided to seek state revenues through expanded gambling.
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Gambling Expansion Depends on Losers Providing the Cash
That pot of gold at the end of the rainbow is such an alluring fantasy, isn't it?
Polls tell us that two out of every three Americans say they've participated in some form of gambling over the last year, looking for entertainment, excitement and easy money - that pot of gold that's just beyond our grasp and something we can surely attain if we only try once more.
Read more...
Gambling Action Alert
House Republicans held a conference call yesterday to discuss the upcoming veto session according to today's Capitol Fax. "Word from inside is there were more members than expected who said they would support 3 new casinos to fund a capital bill. House GOP Leader Tom Cross may now reassess his bargaining position. The Senate bill will have to be tweaked somewhat in the House for Cross to come on board."
Many Legislators who had opposed gambling in the past are now open to voting for the gambling expansion bill in the hopes of getting construction projects for their district.. This wishful thinking has blinded many to the harm that will be caused from expanding gambling-increased addiction, crime, family problems. Voters need to contact their State Representatives and encourage them to reject the gambling bill and protect people. Promises can be broken, but the harm from more gambling is real.
Read more...
Editorial: Rockford Can't Win With Gambling
8/17/2007 3:00:00 PM -Rockford Register Star
Would gambling be good for Rockford? GOOD? Brian O'Keefe's article in Smart Money (August 2000, pp. 93-96) reports what the gambling industry doesn't tell you: You can't win. ... If you do, we might not pay. ... We promise more than we deliver ... know everything about you ... are a lousy investment. Addicts keep us in business. We target your children ... and your parents. Legislators are in our pockets. Regulation is full of loopholes.
The NGISC's final report (June 1999) found significant evidence of the long-suspected link between gambling and crime; often, gamblers commit crime to finance their craving. Indebtedness tends to increase with gambling, as does youth crime, forgery, credit card theft, domestic violence, child neglect, and alcohol and drug offenses (p. 7-13).
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 | Please CLICK HERE to contact your state legislators and ask them to vote for 'NO' to more gambling. |
Dare We Mention It In Church?
8/9/2007 1:00:00 PM
By Rev. Dallas E. Henry
The subject is gambling and, sadly to say, it has infiltrated the church. Dare we speak on the subject without turning people away? More and more pastors, these days, are shying away from subjects they consider to be "controversial." "We're just going to preach Christ," they say.
The question we need to ask ourselves is in the once famous phrase: W.W.J.D. What would Jesus do/preach? Somehow I believe that Jesus would address the issue head on. As I understand it, one of the reasons He cleansed the temple was because of graft and issues of greed going on in the Temple. He said that His Father's house was a house of prayer but they had made it a den of thieves.
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 | Please CLICK HERE to contact your state legislators and ask them to vote for 'NO' to more gambling. |
Gambling with Our Children's Future
Gambling with our children's future... that's a good idea.
School funding has been a central issue in the Springfield budget fiasco, and the central solution offered by our political elites is casinos-as in more slots, more tables, and more boats.
The religious devotion our legislative chieftains have for casinos leads me to this prayer for relief: if the casinos are going to fund our schools, why not just cut out the middleman and have the casinos run our schools?
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Gambling Action Alert
The Governor and Legislators are looking at gambling expansion to help fund the budget. Politicians and gambling promoters want to expand the number of gambling positions at casinos add 2-3 other casinos, including one for Chicago, and telephone wagering for racetracks.
Immediate Action
1. Contact the Governor by phone (800-642-3112) or e-mail to tell him to keep his promise not to expand gambling. CLICK HERE to send a fax or email right now.
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Study Calls Lotteries an Unfair Tax on the Poor
Questions claims that the money goes to education.
State lotteries are a hidden and unfair tax on the poor, according to a study from the Tax Foundation.
The report also found the money isn't going where promised and costs states a bundle in social services to take care of problem gamblers.
For example, Virginia officials boast that the state gets $432 million a year in lottery proceeds. As in most of the 42 states with the games, the money is said to be earmarked for schools. But, Chris Friend of The Family Foundation in Virginia said that's not the entire balance sheet.
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 | TAKE ACTION: CLICK HERE to e-mail or fax Gov. Blagojevich to ask him to keep his promise to the voters not to expand gambling.
You can also call the Governor's office at 800-642-3112. |
Will the Governor Keep His Word & Veto HB 1124?
6/20/2007 4:37:00 PM
By Daniel T. Zanoza
Gambling was once considered a vice in America. According to an older version of Webster's dictionary, vice is "an evil or wicked action, habit or characteristic; evil or wicked conduct or behavior, depravity or corruption."
Unfortunately, most forms of vice are now considered entertainment in today's culture. Politicians have taken the lead in this transformation. In order to gain revenue, some elected officials have redefined what was once a cultural ill into a means for economic salvation. Such is the case regarding HB 1124, which is now sitting on Governor Rod Blagojevich's desk, awaiting either his signature or his veto.
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 | ACTION: Click HERE to contact your State Rep. today and ask him/her to vote against HB 25. The switchboard phone number in Springfield is 217-782-2000. |
Gambling expansion -- Balancing the budget on the misery of others
6/12/2007 2:00:00 PM
By Dan Zanoza
Here's a news flash from Springfield: The Illinois General Assembly has passed a bill that would legalize the sale and use of illicit drugs in the state. The legislation is in response to the budget shortfall in Illinois and more action is expected to be taken on the issue.
Here's another news flash from Springfield: The Illinois General Assembly has decided to legalize prostitution in response to the state's budget shortfall. The legislation was passed in the dark of night, but revenues are expected to aid education and the Tollway Authority.
Read more...
Illinois Adopts Plan to Help Addicted Gamblers Avoid the Lottery
It's called self exclusion, where gambling addicts voluntarily put themselves on a list, sacrificing the right to collect cash, should they win the drawing.
In a letter obtained by Family News in Focus, the Illinois State Lottery Control Board is promising to put a self exclusion program together by early next year. The idea is to offer problem gamblers a way to resist the temptation posed by the lottery. But, Guy Clark of the National Coalition Against Legalized Gambling, is lukewarm in his optimism.
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The Great Big Lie of Gambling
The Big Lie of gambling in American culture is how it is marketed as harmless entertainment. The ubiquitous casino ads on TV are so wonderful and filled with excitement. Happy people are jumping up and down and pumping their fists in the air, relaying the message that they just hit the "Jackpot." Yes, people do hit jackpots -- but not very often. As many seasoned gamblers will tell you, "Vegas wasn't built on winners."
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State Lotteries Feed Off Addiction
8/28/2006 8:52:00 AM
By staff reports
-Citizen Link
A New Yorker embezzles a million dollars to play the lottery.
State lotteries are often touted as fairly safe ways to gamble, but now they are being unmasked as some of the most addictive forms of gambling. In fact, a New York woman was arrested for embezzling more than a million dollars to support her lottery addiction.
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More Teens Getting Hooked on Gambling
6/28/2006 7:59:00 PM
By staff reports
-Citizen Link
Kids as young as 11 are calling an addiction help line in Europe.
A growing number of pre-teens worldwide are struggling with gambling addiction, according to new statistics.
A gambling-addiction help line in Norway, for instance, reports children as young as 11 calling in with problems. Several European callers under 13 told help-line staff they are betting hundreds of dollars a month.
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Gov. Blagojevich Wants to Expand Gambling to Fund School Construction
1/11/2006 8:03:00 AM
By Anita Bedell
-Illinois Church Action on Alcohol & Addiction Problems (ILCAAAP)
You made calls to the Governor's office two years ago, and Governor Blagojevich said NO to KENO. Now the Governor wants to fund school construction by legalizing KENO, a computer operated Lottery game with a drawing every 5 minutes. Implementing Keno does not require passage of any new legislation; it can be put in place by an executive order from the Governor.
ACTION:Call the Governor (800-642-3112) or e-mail the Governor at www.illinois.gov/gov/contactthegovernor.cfm and tell him NO KENO-KENO is an expansion of gambling that will impact every community.
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 | Katrina Tax Relief for families -- NOT Casinos! |
Congressional Tax Breaks for Casinos Questioned
(Federal Issue)
12/5/2005 7:30:00 AM
By Steve Jordahl
-Family News In Focus
Are you interested in your tax dollars going to rebuild casinos and liquor stores in the Gulf Coast?
The House of Representatives is expected to vote this week on a tax relief bill for Katrina victims on the Gulf Coast. Congressman Frank Wolf (R) of Virginia is working hard to make sure none the money goes to rebuild casinos, liquor stores and massage parlors. The Senate has already passed the bill, so Wolf says the house version is the last stand. He wants it applied to the current tax relief package.
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If you ain't just a little scared when you enter a casino, you are either very rich or you haven't studied the games enough.
~VP Pappy
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Government: The Biggest Compulsive Gambler
9/12/2005 10:00:00 AM
By Paul deParrie, NewsWithViews.com
Proverbs 28: 22 says, "He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him."
This verse has always been my main objection to gambling. While I don't have a problem with someone who can afford to lose a few bucks gambling for entertainment, this is not often the case. In most cases, gamblers are hoping for quick riches and to escape having to be responsible by working, saving, and investing wisely. They want the good things in life without the pain of effort.
The gambler seeks to fulfill his fantasies of abundance with the big win. (They always have big dreams and aspirations about all the "good" they can do with their winnings, don't they?) As they descend into more and more debt (as they usually do), they think the big win will at least balance the books.
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Jackpot?
6/6/2005 7:15:00 AM
By John W. Kennedy, Today's Pentecostal Evangel
TV's poker craze tells youth gambling is all fun and games.
Poker on TV is portrayed as a game of skill and strategy rather than its real main determinant: chance. The message conveyed is that with enough practice one will learn how to win, just as an aggressive investor intuitively knows how to play the stock market.
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Ominous Gambling Legislation
5/17/2005 9:18:00 AM
By Illinois Church Action on Alcohol & Addiction Problems
Illinois Church Action on Alcohol & Addiction Problems, the state's leading organization opposing pro-gaming legislation in Springfield, gives its latests recomendations against pending pro-gambling bills...
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Ominous Gambling Legislation
5/17/2005 9:05:00 AM
By Illinois Church Action on Alcohol & Addiction Problems
Illinois Church Action on Alcohol & Addiction Problems, the state's leading organization opposing pro-gaming legislation in Springfield, gives its latests recomendations against pending pro-gambling bills...
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Will We Expand or Reduce Gambling in Illinois?
4/5/2005 11:39:00 PM
By David E. Smith, IFI Senior Policy Anaylst
Governor Rod Blagojevich (D) has proposed expanding gambling at Illinois's nine riverboat casinos to provide increased funding for Illinois schools. The Governor expects the plan to generate an additional $300 million for Illinois schools...
Read more...
 | State Representative
John Bradley
(D-Marion)
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Riverboat Gambling Fact Sheet
3/22/2005 8:30:00 AM
By IFI
State Representative John Bradley (D-Marion) introduced HB 1920, a bill to shut down Illinois' nine riverboat casinos and eliminate casino gambling in Illinois. The following White Sheet spells out the reasons why IFI supports this bill to eliminate riverboat gambling.
ACTION:Please contact your state representative and ask him/her to support HB 1920. Click HERE to look up your state representative.
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 | "Vegas wasn't built on winners..."
Inside picture of Las Vegas' Venetian Casino. |
IFI News Release: Expanding Gambling to Chicago Depends on ‘Losers’ for Success, IFI Analyst Says
5/24/2004 4:42:00 PM
By David E. Smith, Senior Policy Analyst
The Illinois Family Institute calls on Mayor Daley and the Chicago City Council to seriously consider this losing proposition. The issue is not just those who lose financially-that's obvious. The wider community also loses as gamblers engage in destructive behavior: they commit crimes, run up large debts, damage relationships with family and friends; and commit suicide at rates alarmingly higher than the rest of society.
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