Type | Page 21 | Stop Predatory Gambling

Casino-owning tribes still subsidized by US government while financial backers see immense profits

Casinos were supposed to generate billions of dollars of revenue for Native American tribes, allowing them to be independent of taxpayer-funded federal subsidies. However, while their financial backers reap heavy profits, the casino tribes have yet to see the revenue they need and are thus still reliant on money from the US government. This article, by the Niagara Gazette, documents one tribe’s struggle to gain the profits the casino was built to raise.

2013 Casino-owning tribes betting on help from the US government

Even casino industry researchers call racinos a sham

Fraud, Investigative Journalism, Regional Casinos

Even the researchers funded by casino interests admit slot machines do nothing to help horse racing and the workers connected to it. The late Bill Eadington, who was the director of the Institute for the Study of Gambling and Commercial Gaming at the University of Nevada, Reno, told the Maryland Capital News Service in 2013, “The whole phenomenon of racetrack casinos has really been a sham. It’s done virtually nothing to increase the demand for horse races.”

2013 Casinos drawing mostly local crowds

Casinos’ public health risks outweigh the potential benefits for community health centers in Canada

Investigative Journalism, Public Health, Regional Casinos

Several community health centers in Canada are standing up to potential casinos in their area, according to this article by EMC News, saying they present a public health risk that far outweighs the potential revenue. Additionally, they say any revenue generated by casinos will come at the expense of other entertainment businesses.

2013 Casinos do more harm than good, say community health centers

Arizona lottery revenue may not be going where promised

Government Revenues from Gambling, Investigative Journalism, Lotteries

This article, from The Arizona Republic, documents how difficult it is to find where Arizona lottery profits are going. Instead of directing a portion of profits directly to, for example, K-12 education or health care, the lottery puts money into a general fund. This money could be going to Arizona schools, or it could be going to the pensions of Arizona lawmakers, but because of the nature of the general fund, it is impossible to track. The article shows how the amount of money the lottery says it puts back into the community can be deceiving.

2013 Arizona Lottery revenue has grown, but tracking how funds are used proves difficult

Addicts make up nearly 50% of Alberta’s gambling revenue

Investigative Journalism, Lotteries, Online Gambling, Predatory Business Practices, Public Health, Regional Casinos

A study from the University of Lethbridge shows that in Alberta, the Canadian province that gets the most revenue from gambling, addicts fund nearly half of the gambling profits. This is especially astounding, considering gambling addicts make up only 2-3% of the population, leading to what researchers call an “ethically problematic” situation.

2013 Addicts fund nearly half of gambling revenue

New York schools see stagnant aid in face of rising lottery revenue

Government Revenues from Gambling, Investigative Journalism, Lotteries, Uncategorized

Below is an article that details the growing gap between lottery profits and aid for education in New York state. While the revenues for the New York lottery have soared in recent years, the percentage that is allotted to the schools of New York has remain unchanged. The article also chronicles the ongoing debate over lotteries in the state of New York and is a great read for anyone looking to see the impacts of lotteries on education.

2013 Lottery revenue soars, but schools fear ‘shell game’

Illinois Lottery gains overwhelming majority of revenue from poorer areas

Investigative Journalism, Lotteries, Lowering the Standard of Living for Ordinary Citizens, Predatory Business Practices

This article by The Chicago Tribune outlines how poorer neighborhoods are bringing in the stark majority of sales, showing that the most disadvantaged in the Chicago community are often the most exploited by the lottery.

2013 IL Lottery – poorer neighborhoods bring in most revenue

Survey of literature on the economics of lotteries

Lotteries, Lowering the Standard of Living for Ordinary Citizens, Studies

Below is a survey and summary of the many existing works regarding the economic impacts of lotteries in the US. It underscores the need for more unbiased research in this area, as well as giving an informative look into the how lotteries impact the economics of towns, states, and the country as a whole.

2012 The Economics of Lotteries- A Survey of the Literature 2-20-2012

Homeowners see less-than-expected tax relief from casinos

Government Revenues from Gambling, Investigative Journalism, Regional Casinos

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

Investigation of Iowa Lottery shows improvements need to be made

Fraud, Lotteries, Studies

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