Homeowners see less-than-expected tax relief from casinos

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Homeowners in Pennsylvania were hopeful, after a law was passed in 2006 that dictated the distribution of fund from casinos, that they would finally see a sizable reduction in their property taxes. It was break they needed, however, it was not one they received. Now, according to this article by the Pocono Record, homeowners are becoming more disappointed with the tax relief, or lack thereof, they are getting from casinos in their community.

2012 Gambling tax relief falls short of expectations for struggling homeowners

LesHomeowners see less-than-expected tax relief from casinos
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Investigation of Iowa Lottery shows improvements need to be made

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This in-depth, exhaustive study of the Iowa Lottery shows that the lottery has to make improvements to protect its customers and its integrity. The author uses the investigation to create a list of improvements the lottery can make to improve. Take some time to read this interesting investigation.

2009 Taking Chances With Integrity Iowa Lottery

LesInvestigation of Iowa Lottery shows improvements need to be made
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A look into the economic and fiscal impacts of casino gambling

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This report, from Wichita State University, gives an unbiased and detailed look into the economic and fiscal impacts of casino gambling in Kansas. It gives a balanced and nonpartisan look at how casinos impact the area around them.  Below is the report followed by FAQ’s answered by the author.

2007 Wichita State Univ Fiscal and Economic Impact Study

2010 Wichita State University FAQ of study on city impacts of a casino

2010 Wichita State University More FAQ of study on city impacts of a casino

LesA look into the economic and fiscal impacts of casino gambling
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New study reveals economic impacts of Philadelphia casino

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Below is an informative study from Temple University that delves into the economic impacts of the Foxwoods Casino in Philadelphia, PA. After examining all the evidence, the study concludes that the claims that casinos will bring in revenue and jobs is based on incorrect assumptions made by casino owners. It serves to prove the need for studies of casinos independent of special interests.

2007 Frederic Murphy Study of Philadelphia’s Foxwoods

LesNew study reveals economic impacts of Philadelphia casino
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Gambling is the deadliest addiction

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Below is one of the best analyses explaining why gambling addiction has the highest rate of suicide of all the addictions. The psychological effects of problem gambling can be extremely harmful, and the feeling of despair that comes with gambling away all of one’s money is toxic. This article by The Fix is a must-read for anyone looking to understand why so many gambling addicts consider taking their own lives.

2012 You Bet Your Life- Gambling Addiction and Suicide

LesGambling is the deadliest addiction
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Mega Failure: Why Lotteries Are A Bad Bet For State Budgets

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Below is a great, concise piece by Think Progress, a political blog of the Center for American Progress, about how lotteries have been a major policy failure because they are highly regressive and are an unsustainable revenue source, ultimately worsening state budget imbalances.

2012 Mega Failure- Why Lotteries Are A Bad Bet For State Budgets

LesMega Failure: Why Lotteries Are A Bad Bet For State Budgets
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American Gaming Association head exposed for lying about the make-up of casino customers

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Gambling operators are the only business that endlessly tries to draw attention away from what their business actually does. No one practices this deceit more than the American Gaming Association.  Former AGA head Frank Fahrenkopf was exposed in a Miami Herald story in which he was quoted as saying:”the majority of people traveling to these ‘destination resorts’ are not going for the primary purpose of gambling.” He made the claim amid an intense lobbying campaign for casinos in Florida. PolitFact investigated his claim and not surprisingly, found it to be untrue for casinos outside of Las Vegas.

2013 Gambling advocate says most people go to high-end casinos for amenities, not gambling

LesAmerican Gaming Association head exposed for lying about the make-up of casino customers
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Legalization of casino gambling leads to corruption

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A new report is out showing that legalizing casino gambling in states results in higher rates of public corruption. Casinos help create a “culture of corruption” in states in which they are legalized, which harms the community as a whole. Here you can find a summary of the report done by the Pew Research Center as well as the report itself.

2013 For states, gambling on casinos may be a bad bet

2013 Casinos and Political Corruption in the United States

LesLegalization of casino gambling leads to corruption
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Lotteries hurt winners, losers, and their communities

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Lotteries hurt those who win, those who lose, and their surrounding communities, as explained in this article from ThinkProgress.org. Those who win face problems such as drugs, bankruptcy, and familial tensions, those who lose deal with crippling poverty, and their surrounding areas tend to spend less and less on education.

2013 How Lotteries Are Bad For Players

LesLotteries hurt winners, losers, and their communities
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