As Illinois considers awarding its 10th casino license, I believe that casinos must cover the cost of dealing with gaming and gambling addictions as a result of the presence of local casinos. Other states have appropriated much more funding to this issue than Illinois has. The Daily Herald has been investigating this issue, below is the most recent in a series of articles. Additional articles from the week are linked below the printed story. As always, I'd be interested in your views on this matter.
Several suburban lawmakers are hoping to expand treatment options for gambling addicts and study the impact of casinos after a Daily Herald analysis of the state's gambling industry.
"This is really sad," said state Sen. Susan Garrett, a Lake Forest Democrat, regarding what the three-day series revealed.
Among the findings:
• Casinos are rolling out tighter slot machines to keep revenue up in the face of declining foot traffic, ensuring continued profits and higher tax revenue to the state.
• Illinois lags far behind other Midwestern states in providing treatment options for gambling addicts.
• Lawmakers have not spent any money to study the impact of legalized gambling since introducing the lottery or casinos, though they continued to push for even more expansion.
• A disproportional amount of gambling addicts who ban themselves from casinos live in cities with casinos, suggesting a local pattern of problem gambling.
Lawmakers from across the suburbs, and across the aisle, reacted to the series by saying the state should do more to keep an eye on the casino industry and provide help for gambling addicts.
"It is shameful," said state Sen. Kirk Dillard, a Hinsdale Republican. "If we are raking in billions of dollars in revenue from compulsive gambling, we need to take care of those people who need our help."
State Rep. Ruth Munson, an Elgin Republican, said she has requested the House research team investigate Illinois' safety net for problem gamblers. She also is asking for research on video-based slot machines that withhold more money from gamblers.
"The decision was made in this state to fund state programs with gambling, and with that comes a responsibility to ensure there are programs for those who are harmed," Munson said.
Similar concerns were expressed by state Reps. Fred Crespo, a Hoffman Estates Democrat; Elaine Nekritz, a Des Plaines Democrat; and Mark Beaubien, a Barrington Hills Republican, as well as state Sen. Terry Link, a Waukegan Democrat. They also said it will be hard to find money for more treatment with a $2 billion budget shortfall, despite the more than $1 billion that legalized gambling brings the state.
For her part, Garrett said casinos should pick up the tab.
"This isn't about whether you are for or against casinos," she said. "We need to determine how we can better assist people with a severe gambling addiction problem."
Meanwhile, Senate President Emil Jones Jr. and House Speaker Michael Madigan, both Chicago Democrats, refused to address the issues raised by the Daily Herald.
Illinois Gaming Board Chairman Aaron Jaffe declined an interview request. A board spokesman said the issues raised by the newspaper didn't fall within his purview.
A spokesman for Gov. Rod Blagojevich insisted the state is "always looking for ways to determine the effects gaming has on communities in Illinois."
When asked for an example, spokesman Dave Rudduck couldn't provide one. There is no public record of any state spending on such research.
Rudduck said the governor supports treatment funding for gambling addicts and that is why he didn't cut any of the $960,000 set aside for such programs despite budget problems this year.
Blagojevich and Jones have pushed for a dramatic expansion of legalized gambling in Illinois as a way to fund a major public works program. At the same time, the state is preparing to auction off a 10th casino license in the coming months.
Other related stories:
Where do problem gamblers live? (7/22)
Is Illinois gambling with addiction? (7/21)
What's problem gambling? (7/21)
July 24, 2008
Problem gamblers need more help, lawmakers say
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3 comments:
I continue to be opposed to any gaming expansion in Illinois.
Dear Senator Garrett,
Thank you the work and dedication to the people of Illinois in the work that you do with the DHS and the Veterans Affairs Committees. Please visit the website www.ASafeHaven.com to learn more about the "award winning" A Safe Haven LLC economic development programs in Illinois that offer cost effective, results driven programs that help people learn to live in recovery on a long term sustainable basis. ASH focuses on providing a continuum of care and access to services to the state in the areas of recovery supportive services, housing, transporation, food, affordable housing, job training, education and job placement.
The purpose and goal at ASH is to encourage self-sufficiency for clients graduates. To date over 26,000 residents have benefited from these programs in the State of Illinois and over 750 Vets, since 9/11 (without any Veteran Funding, ASH has subsidized over 350 Vets). Clients at ASH have achieved an over 70% success rate (benchmark: clean/sober over 3 years) .
Today, programs are "at risk" of being substantially reduced by the 43% Budget Cuts to the Department of Alcohol and Substance abuse. This is being brought to your attention in the hopes that you will encourage leaders of the State of Illinois to vote for Restoring Funding to baseline budgeted programs for Substance abuse. As you know, these are NOT new programs in the budget and should not be subject to new revenue streams. Failure to do so puts ASH at risk of forcing over 470 clients, homeless, specifically Special Populations failed Veto Motion #7 which includes Women with Children and over 42,000 current residents of Illinois receiving services without benefits. As you know over 12,000,000 people in the State of Illinois require services, less than 10% get the help they need. With the failing economy the need is likely to grow.
A Safe Haven is one example of the types of casualties that are happening all over the State. Time is of the essence we encourage you to do your best to help the Department of Alcohol and Substance Abuse restore their funding of the total $53,000,000 that was Veto'd. By doing so we are restoring the $55,000,000 Dollar for Dollar matching Federal Dollars to our State, that will be lost.
According to various studies (also mentioned in the CBS feature story) Substance Abuse programs save the state $7 for every $1 spent in cost savings to criminal justice, foster care, homelessness, etc. We will pay on the backend.
Just in case you missed it please see feature story by
CBS Michael Flannery, Political Analyst Feature Story "Dumbest Budget Cut Ever!"
http://cbs2chicago.com/politics/truth.in.politics.2.778704.html
Time is of the essence. Thank you for your immediate attention to this URGENT matter.
Susan.....This is a true dilemma. The sole sources of gambling revenues are from addicts and people with excess income to fritter away. If the State chooses to rehab the addicts then a great deal of the tax money is cut off or used for dealing with addictions. You are now appointed "Honorary Solomon".
Regards.....Bob
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