An anti-gambling advocate in Colorado says the passage of Amendment 50 will put more families at risk.
Coloradans passed Amendment 50 last week with 59 percent of the vote. The pro-gambling measure will now allow Colorado casinos to increase maximum bets from $5 to $100; to add roulette, craps, or both; and to operate around the clock. Proponents of the measure claimed that it would also increase funding for Colorado colleges. But Chad Hills, analyst for gambling research and policy at Focus on the Family Action, disagrees. He says the measure cuts the taxable income from casinos from 40 percent to 20 percent. "...[W]hat people really need to understand is that 78 percent of new revenue, which will happen between 2 a.m. and 8 a.m., will go to colleges," he explains. "Not 78 percent of the total revenue, but of the new revenue in those early morning hours -- which basically falls on the backs of addicted gamblers." Hills argues that the social cost will outweigh the benefits three to one. He says because of the addictive nature of gambling, normal people can be turned into desperate criminals when they hit rock bottom. The analyst also notes that the suicide rate among addicted gamblers is higher than those with chemical addictions.
If you believe OneNewsNow.com is an important source for Christian news, please consider a small tax-deductible gift for this service.
