Once again, Illinois state lawmakers are proposing a massive gambling bill. Proponents say it will help create jobs in our state. While we do need jobs, what costs does gambling bring?
The National Gambling Impact Study Commission estimated that approximately 15 million U.S. citizens have a gambling problem and/or are pathological gambling addicts. Their research shows that addiction rates double within 50 miles (an hour’s drive) of a casino.
The American Psychiatric Association lists symptoms of pathological gambling: lying about the amount of time or money spent gambling, needing to borrow money due to gambling losses, gambling larger amounts of money to try to make up previous losses, and committing crimes to get money to gamble.
The divorce rate is higher for pathological gamblers versus non-gamblers. Abuse or neglect is more likely. Children have died after being locked in hot cars for hours because their parent or caretaker was gambling. The suicide rate is also higher.
The renowned economist Earl Grinols states in his book Gambling in America: Costs and Benefits that the costs of casino-derived revenues exceed the benefits by a factor of more than 3 to 1. Our lawmakers should heed his research. The social costs of gambling are simply not worth the perceived benefits.
— David E. Smith, Executive Director, Illinois Family Institute
