Lowering the Standard of Living for Ordinary Citizens

Hitting Rock Bottom – West Virginia and the Problem Gambling Help Line

, , , , , ,

West Virginia recently released some jaw-dropping data about the impact of the failed government policy of predatory gambling in that state. Among the findings was that in one county, one out of every 87 residents has called the 24-hour problem gambling hotline seeking help for themselves or a loved one. What is even more troubling about that finding is only about 10% of problem gamblers seek help at all. That means 90% of the problem gamblers in the county have not called the hotline.

Hitting Rock Bottom – Ohio County Leads State in Calls To Gambling Hotline

CkirbyHitting Rock Bottom – West Virginia and the Problem Gambling Help Line
read more

Atlantic City Looks To Bus More Homeless Back Home

, , ,

When predatory gambling interests come to your town or city, they falsely promise new jobs, revenue, and overall economic prosperity. However, the story below highlights the dark side of the industry. Beyond the glitz and glamor of Atlantic City’s multi-million dollar casinos, hundreds of homeless people are on the street with no place to go.

Atlantic City Looks To Bus More Homeless Back Home

CkirbyAtlantic City Looks To Bus More Homeless Back Home
read more

New York’s Latest Way of Enticing its Citizens to Lose Money

, , , ,

The latest ad campaign for the New York Lottery consists of the slogan: “Be Ready.” According the New York Times article below, the message of the campaign is that “anyone who plays the instant games…ought to be prepared to win immediately in a moment of instant gratification.”

It Only Takes an Instant, Lottery Ads Declare

CkirbyNew York’s Latest Way of Enticing its Citizens to Lose Money
read more

Taylor Branch Speech at the Stop Predatory Gambling National Convention

, , , , , ,

This is a video featuring Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Taylor Branch at Stop Predatory Gambling’s 2008 National Convention in Washington, D.C. He begins to specifically address the issue of government-sanctioned predatory gambling after the 6:00 mark. Daniel Hunter of Casino Free Philadelphia was invited to introduce Branch.

 

LesTaylor Branch Speech at the Stop Predatory Gambling National Convention
read more

One of the world’s largest accounting firms finds that gambling was the most common motivator of fraud

, , , , , ,

This 2009 Australian report from KPMG (one of the world’s largest accounting firms) finds that gambling was the most common motivator of fraud with an average value of $1.1 million per incident.

KPMG Fraud Survey

LesOne of the world’s largest accounting firms finds that gambling was the most common motivator of fraud
read more

Study spotlights how the Lottery exploits ordinary citizens in California

, ,

In 2007, the California Budget Project reported on the possible privatization of the state lottery. It reported that the poor, non-white, urban and less educated spend a higher portion of their income on the lottery than other demographics.

California Budget Project – Gambling on the Future

CkirbyStudy spotlights how the Lottery exploits ordinary citizens in California
read more

Self-Exclusion Lists Serve to Exclude Public Scrutiny of the Casino Business Model

, , , , ,

Self-exclusion lists are another public relations ploy by predatory gambling interests to create a public impression they are care about the addicts they create and exploit. Because these out-of-control gamblers are so lucrative, it can be hard for casinos to pull themselves off of them. Mt. Airy Casino in Pennsylvania was the latest casino to get caught when it sent six targeted mailings over the course of 2 months to a gambling addict on the state’s self-exclusion list. In addition, the casino allowed other addicts on the self-exclusion list to gamble at the casino and even cash checks there on five separate occasions.

Self-Exclusion List Violations Lead to $40,000 Fine for Pennsylvania Casino

CkirbySelf-Exclusion Lists Serve to Exclude Public Scrutiny of the Casino Business Model
read more

Poor People Spend 9% of Income on Lottery Tickets

, ,

This blog post from WalletPop.com outlines the reasons why people on low-incomes spend so much on lottery tickets: the hype about big jackpots, the ritual of playing and the fact that many people believe that playing the lottery is best way to achieve financial security.

Poor People Spend 9 Percent of Income on Lottery Tickets

CkirbyPoor People Spend 9% of Income on Lottery Tickets
read more

Even The Casinos Call the Lottery Bad Policy

, ,

This story from the Seattle Times discusses how casino companies are fighting the introduction of a state lottery in Nevada. They call the lottery a regressive tax on the poor because they spend a higher proportion of their income on lotteries.

Lottery Advocates, Opponents to Face Off Again in Nevada Legislature

CkirbyEven The Casinos Call the Lottery Bad Policy
read more