Conflict of Interest:

By partnering with a casino and knowing there will be increased social costs, i.e., problem gamblers, bankruptcies, crimes, suicides, etc., the city is opting for new revenue at the expense of the very people they are supposed to serve.  This is a serious conflict of interest and sets a bad example, particularly for youth.

For Jefferson City to gain $38,000 in revenue our citizens must lose $1 Million at the casino (calculations based on average loss per player per visit and admissions from latest data available in Missouri Gaming Commission Annual Reports for FY 2006 at Isle of Capri® – Boonville).

According to Nat Helms, a former high-ranking participant in the gambling industry’s campaign to bring casinos to Missouri, “Because of the unlimited money it generates, gambling also generates unlimited potential for abuse . . . I have never met anybody who could resist a full-court press by the gambling industry.” (Jim Drinkard – 1996, page 7)

One fourth or more of casino revenues comes from problem and compulsive gamblers. (Gambling in America p118)

Gambling has been tied to a number of illnesses, including depression, stress-related illnesses, chronic or severe headaches, anxiety, moodiness, irritability, intestinal disorders, asthma, cognitive distortions, and cardiovascular disorders.  Many of the costs of sickness . . . can lead to real resources costs to society.  (Maryland Dept of Health – 1990; Feigelman, Wallish and Lesieur – 1998; Kaplan & Davis, 1997; Smart & Ferris – 1996; Steinberg, Kosten and Rounsaville – 1992, among others.)

Corruption of public officials is often tied to gambling interests:

Missouri Speaker of the House Bob Griffin, one of the most powerful men in state government at the time, and two associates went to federal prison for illegal favors he did for gaming companies.

July 31, 2007 - Missouri State Senator Jeff Smith and Rep Joe Aull have been accused of attempting to circumvent rules for entering a casino.  Aull is alleged to have permitted Smith to use Aull’s identification to secure a player’s card which allowed Smith entry to the Isle of Capri in Boonville.  An Isle of Capri lobbyist reportedly instigated the ruse.  This occurred as Smith, Aull and several other members of the Missouri legislature were having a night out at the casino at the casino’s expense.  Charges filed by the Cooper County Prosecuting Attorney are still pending.  (Jake Wagman, ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 8/3/2007; http://rturner229.blogspot.com/2007/09/legislators-lobbyists-charged-with.html)

Edwin Edwards, the Governor of Louisiana, his son and five associates went to prison in 2000 on 17 charges of corruption and extortion related to casino licensing.  (The New York Times  Oct 22, 2002)

The Pattonsville, Missouri  Schools Superintendent embezzled $844,478.  (Mark Morris, Kansas City Star  March 9, 2005)

A Kansas City, Missouri municipal judge lost her job for soliciting loans from attorneys.

St. Louis Missouri attorney Michael Lazaroff, who pled guilty in federal court to multiple felonies including the misuse of more than $800,000, described his relationship with former Missouri Gaming Commission Chairman Robert Wolfson as “an illicit and ‘tacit understanding’ that each would provide the other with useful information.” (Gambling in America p36)

“Because gambling requires public regulation, those who want favors for licensing or operating conditions must obtain them from government, which creates an enticement to public corruption.”  (Michigan Attorney General, 1995)

“The dilemma is this: free, unregulated gambling engenders the need for government oversight, but restricting and regulating it creates permanent incentives and enticements to subversion and government corruption.”  (Dr. Earl Grinols, Gambling in America)

Some participants in government have been co-opted by gambling industry money and appear no longer be open to unbiased information. (Gambling in America p47)

Gambling is a parasitic enterprise that preys on the weaknesses of people.
 
Casino ads and actions are deceitful and predatory – it is not the type of business or activity our elected officials should be in bed with.