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NO ON ISSUE 3
Casino gambling will inflict so much
suffering on our neighbors!
_ Addiction –Within 50 miles of a casino, the prevalence of problem and pathological gambling roughly doubles, with approximately 3 percent of casino visitors developing serious addictions. Studies show that 30 to 50 percent of casinos’ revenues come from those addicts.
_ Suicide – Almost half of all pathological gamblers consider suicide; one in five will attempt to take his life; one in ten spouses of addicts will attempt to take his/her own life.
_ Bankruptcy – SMR Research Corporation found gambling to be “the single fastest growing driver of bankruptcy.” Numerous studies conclude that more than 20 percent of pathological gamblers eventually file for bankruptcy.
_ Crime – A high percentage of problem gamblers resort to crime to support their addiction or to escape financial ruin. One National Institute of Justice study found that more than 30 percent of pathological gamblers who had been arrested reported having
committed a robbery within the past year, about 13 percent said that they had assaulted someone, and 20 percent admitted to selling drugs.
_ Domestic violence –A University of Nebraska Medical Center
study concluded that problem gambling is as much a risk factor for
domestic violence as alcohol abuse. National Research Council studies indicate that between one quarter and one half of spouses of compulsive gamblers have been abused. In Deadwood, South Dakota, after two years of casino gambling, child abuse cases increased 42 percent, while domestic violence and assaults increased 80 percent.
_ Destruction of families – A Gamblers Anonymous survey revealed that 28 percent had been separated or divorced as a direct result of their gambling problems. A nationwide survey found that “respondents representing two million adults identified a spouse’s gambling as a significant factor in a prior divorce.
There are sound reasons why all citizens should be concerned about opening Ohio to casinos. The socials costs will far outweigh the potential economic benefits. But as Christians, we must focus on the questions that Christ would ask. What suffering will casinos bring to individuals and families? How will casinos affect the moral climate of
our communities? Christ-like compassion compels us
To learn about all the issues and candidates on your ballot, visit
NO ON ISSUE 3
www.OhioElectionCentral.com
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| NE Ohio Values Voters |
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From Focus on the Family
This election vote "NO" on Issue 3!
Gambling interests have again succeeded in placing an initiative on the 2009 ballot to legalize casino gambling in Ohio. Your help is needed to vote it down and prevent gambling expansion in your state!
The proposed gambling initiative--Issue 3 on the November 3 ballot--would amend Ohio's constitution to authorize casinos in Cincinnati, Columbus, Cleveland and Toledo. If passed, it would massively expand gambling.
Ohio can't afford gambling's impact on families and communities:
Proponents claim casinos will boost local economies with additional tax revenue, but in states where gambling has been expanded, the social and financial burden of gambling is $3 for every $1 of tax revenue.
Proponents claim casino revenues will help fund the education system, but other states that have committed gambling profits to fund education have ultimately pulled that funding to cover other budget shortfalls.
Years of research show that every increase in gambling availability leads to increased gambling addictions--particularly among youth--which often lead to bankruptcy, child abuse, crime, divorce and suicide.
Chad Hills, analyst for research and policy at Focus on the Family Action™, reiterated that the costs of gambling expansion to Ohio families and communities vastly outweigh any benefits. "This initiative to legalize casino gambling in Ohio will cause gambling addictions to skyrocket and will devastate families across the state," he noted.
Take Action:
On November 3rd, vote No on Issue 3 and help protect families and communities across your state by stopping gambling expansion!
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