Dynamics of Public Gambling

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glitzfam@mindspring.com
Junior Member
Posts: 4
Joined: Fri Mar 29, 2002 3:39 am

Dynamics of Public Gambling

Post by glitzfam@mindspring.com »

Greetings,

This is a very short notice request, but Id appreciate any ideas. My
hometown just got the casino fever when an Illinois Gaming Commission casino
license became available two weeks ago. (The current license holder was
kicked out due to mob connections and other Chicagoland "business practices.")
The city council and chamber of commerce, despite a city-wide referendum
against casinos, are going to push through a positive vote tomorrow night.

I have 3-5 minutes to make the case that area-wide, system effects go beyond
the quick cash that has been promised and will act to undermine the quality of
the workforce; reducing the investment and relocation by legitimate business;
reducing the inclination of middle-class, taxpaying families to relocate here;
and -- in turn -- increasing the towns dependence (addiction, really) to the
casino. (Others will pitch the crime, addiction, divorce, traffic,
bankruptcy, etc. effects.)

My question to the group is: has anyone done systems models of communities
and casinos or are there other arguements beyond the one above that might be
effective? Again, in 3-5 minutes.

Thanks in advance for any help or advice.

(Its quite unreal that people, fully rational and hard working two weeks ago,
are touting this casino as the salvation of the town and the cure for every
problem its ever had. Everyone thinks their taxes will drop and well all be
rich without working again. Amazing.)

Regards,

Robert Glitz
From: glitzfam@mindspring.com
Des Plaines, IL
(a suburb of OHare airport...)
Bill Harris
Senior Member
Posts: 75
Joined: Fri Mar 29, 2002 3:39 am

Dynamics of Public Gambling

Post by Bill Harris »

Robert,

A couple of thoughts.

First, does it help to show the concept of money flowing into city
coffers as a stock and flow (emphasis on the concepts, not the terms, of
course)? In essence, the city wants (needs?) a certain flow of cash.
Where is the flow coming from? If its coming from the same people who
would have otherwise been taxed, then it should be obvious that, in
aggregate, there is no difference between tax and the income from the
casino. The diffences come from the subsets which pay and from the fact
that some people willingly pay through casinos and lotteries while
resisting taxes, even if the cost is less. Of course, there are always
the few with a net gain through casinos and lotteries.

If the cash inflow to the city comes from outside the city in the case
of the casino, though, its also a tourism issue. I suspect my approach
above doesnt help your case then.

Second, does it help to show at the same time an alternative that helps
the city council solve its problems? I suspect they may be facing the
inability to fund services they see as important. I imagine telling
them they cant get money this way, if theyve decided there are no
other viable ways, wont be very productive. Can you show them a way to
balance their budget (assuming thats what theyre attempting) without
the casino? Sometimes its easier to get movement by removing barriers
than by pushing harder.

Bill
From: Bill Harris <
bill_harris@facilitatedsystems.com>
--
Bill Harris 3217 102nd Place SE
Facilitated Systems Everett, WA 98208 USA
http://facilitatedsystems.com/ phone: +1 425 337-5541
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