Fighting the Chicago Casino Battle with Flip-Flopper Pat Quinn

The following got coverage in the Springfield State Journal-Register today and we reprint it with the permission of its author:

Get citizens’ input on casino

One of the best buttons ever: CasiNO.

Gov. Pat Quinn recently rattled his sword in support of a casino in Chicago and four other sites in Illinois.

He also touted the feds giving the OK for Illinois to begin selling lottery tickets online.

Then he cited with enthusiasm video poker would be ready to start later in 2012.

Quinn in his rush to negotiate a suitable gambling expansion bill for Illinois has now become the “gambling king” in the United States.

What Quinn has not disclosed:

In order for the state to be successful at being a gambling winner, you the citizen must be the loser.

In December, the 1.3 million customers of Illinois’ 10 casinos lost $102 for each visit.

That is an average figure, taking into account winners and across all levels of gambling amounts wagered.

Quinn used to be in favor of citizen input into public policy issues.

But not anymore.

Now Quinn consults with legislators, who receive millions of dollars in campaign contributions from gambling interests, to decide for the “little people” what is best for them.

I am not a moralist opposed to gambling.

I play a game of skill called poker with my friends.

However, I never would waste my money at a casino on slots that are programmed for the fat cat casino owners and the state through taxes to win.

Casino gambling promoted by the state is a losing proposition for the citizens of Illinois.

If Chicago, a proven place of corruption, should consider a casino, it should be through a fair referendum of its citizens.

We urge Gov. Quinn to return to his former political self and save Chicago from a fate this world-class city does not need.

Doug Dobmeyer, The Task Force to Oppose Casino Gambling, Chicago


Comments

Fighting the Chicago Casino Battle with Flip-Flopper Pat Quinn — 1 Comment

  1. I have no problem with Casino’s, as I used to frequent them often, but people need to stay away from the slots! Those things bring in all the money while casino’s only make a little cash from all the tables.

    Tables require skill, and obviously some luck, but slots are computerized and programmed to ensure you lose.

    My wife loves slots (all the flashy lights and sounds) and always lost while I played tables and always won…at least we typically left the casino breaking even for a night of entertainment.

    If negotiated properly and strategically placed casino’s bring in tourism and tax revenue.

    Foxwoods, one of the largest casino’s in the world, brings in ~ $10 – $14M in tax revenue per month, but is only 1 of 2 casinos in the area.

    My point is quality over quantity makes a big difference with casino’s.

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