Text 9297, 115 rader
Skriven 2005-02-24 14:10:46 av Alan Hess
Ärende: slots - good or bad?
============================
Personally, I think people should have the right to spend their money as they
wish, and, if they choose to gamble, so be it.  I support slots in Maryland, as
I'd prefer the money stay here rather than go to nearby states with slots, as
long as most of the money collected actually goes to the state, and not to
special interests and whoever runs the machines.

However, I do find it interesting that the jurisidictions that voted most
heavily for Gov. Ehrlich, and favor slots (such as Baltimore County), don't
want the machines in their jurisdictions - they want them in the locations
where people voted against them (like Baltimore City and Prince Georges
County.)  If they support slots, why don't they want the parlors in their
neighborhoods?  

********


http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/bal-op.gambling24feb24,1,1911094.stor
y?coll=bal-pe-opinion
The slots trap


By Obie Patterson

February 24, 2005

ALTHOUGH A MAJOR portion of the black community in Prince George's County is
well-educated and middle-income -- some even affluent -- the negative impact of
slot machines on the community would be far-reaching. They could have a
devastating, adverse effect in the areas in which they are placed.

Among the many potential drawbacks associated with slots, gambling addiction,
increased poverty and escalated crime rates are the most detrimental. Placing
slot machines in low- and middle-income communities only exacerbates the
vulnerability of those who can least afford to indulge.

Unlike their affluent counterparts, low- and middle-income wage earners often
lack the disposable income necessary to routinely play slots without
experiencing adverse financial repercussions. Because most of their available
income is needed to meet basic living expenses, diverting these resources to
gambling can have catastrophic results on these individuals.

Likewise, the economic impact on African-Americans in a gambling environment
could be more severe, particularly because that population is not on a level
playing field with regard to financial stability. Because all low-income
families lack the ability to rebound quickly, if at all, from financial
setbacks and consistent monetary losses from playing slot machines, regardless
of the amount, the results could be devastating.

Moreover, the side effects of such financial losses can translate into more
households sinking into poverty and increased demands for social service
programs and government assistance from ever-shrinking resources.

While playing slot machines is a matter of personal choice, like other forms of
gambling, slots offer false hope as a quick and easy way to make money. The
allure of winning rather than working one's way to wealth would appeal to most
people, but that fantasy has an even stronger pull on individuals who have
limited opportunities for improving their financial status. By taunting the
indulgence and appearing to offer a quick fix for one's gloomy financial
situation, slots act as a deterrent for individuals to work, and foster
gambling addiction.

The social, psychological, economic and physical effects of gambling addiction
on individuals may prove severe and result in more dysfunctional families,
higher frequencies of domestic violence and numerous other problems. Based on
information from the Maryland Lottery, there may be an even greater chance that
slots will increase gambling addictions among African-Americans.

Of the nearly $1.4 billion in total lottery sales in fiscal year 2004, about 40
percent came from overwhelmingly black communities, specifically Baltimore City
and Prince George's County. Even more unsettling is that Baltimore and Prince
George's County host 1,368 video lottery terminals (VLTs) -- one-third of all
VLTs in Maryland.

These statistics paint a gloomy picture of the disproportionate placement of
VLTs in the state. Although the basis for this disparity is unclear, it is
apparent that the current placement of VLTs works to the detriment of the only
two predominantly black districts in Maryland.

Clearly, access to gambling venues increases the chances that individuals will
indulge, and it is reasonable to conclude that the communities where slots are
placed risk having the highest concentration of compulsive gamblers and the
largest proportion of families and individuals with gambling-related problems.

In addition to perpetuating gambling addictions, slots may also increase crime
rates, especially among nonviolent drug offenders. Fully 90 percent of
Maryland's nonviolent drug offenders are black, and risking the probability of
increasing this population would be fiscally and socially irresponsible.
Because so many drug offenders lack adequate job skills and effective drug
treatment, the idea of having slot machines available seems an attractive
survival tool for them.

While slots may provide harmless entertainment for some, expanding gambling in
Maryland might prove to be a deadly cancer for others. Promoting slots while
completely disregarding the potential crises they can trigger in our
communities not only flies in the face of reason but also signifies a
willingness to prey upon the human weakness for gambling.

Is there a willingness among some lawmakers to sacrifice one family-oriented
community for another? If so, which community is worth abandoning?

As the debate on whether slots should be allowed in our state continues,
extensive, earnest thought and critical discussions regarding the placement of
slot machines are crucial. Whatever choices we make, we must never lose focus
on the families and children that may be affected by our decisions, taking
every possible measure to ensure that slots, if approved, are strategically
placed and not disproportionately located in low-income and predominantly black
communities.

Obie Patterson, a Democrat, represents Prince George's County in the Maryland
House of Delegates.

Copyright + 2005, The Baltimore Sun

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