Why Voters in Seven States Should Choose Their Children Over Gambling
In just over a week, the voices of voters around the nation will be heard on a variety of issues and on a sprawling slate of candidates. Voters in seven states will encounter gambling proposals on their ballots: Colorado, Massachusetts, California, South Dakota, Nebraska, Tennessee, and Kansas. The proposals take different approaches - in some states, additional lotteries are proposed, in others, gambling at racetracks, and in still others, the erecting of casinos or slot machines.
On each of these proposals, concerned voters should reject the expansion of gambling. While many contend that gambling is an economic boon for a state and that it increases tax revenue - sometimes even supposedly benefitting local school districts - there are much darker issues at play.
The social cost of gambling is simply too high to pay. And it's not one that voters need to bring into their communities, their neighborhoods, or their families.
The California Research Bureau (function(w,q){w[q]=w[q]||[];w[q].push(["_mgc.load"])})(window,"_mgq"); And indeed, Las Vegas, the gambling capital of the U.S., could be considered "ground zero for sex trafficking," including the trafficking and sexual exploitation of children. Lt. Karen Hughes, from the Las Vegas Metro Police, says: "You often hear people refer to prostitution as the oldest profession in the world...I don't believe it's a profession. It's an exploitation." Shared Hope International, in a 2012 report, revealed that "at least 100,000 children in the United States are exploited through prostitution" each year. WomensLaw.org reports "[t]he average age for girls entering prostitution is between 12-13. And studies show that 75 to 95 percent of all prostitutes were sexually abused as children." Casino Watch, an organization "exposing the dark side of gambling" has a long collection of quotes from news reports about connections between gambling and prostitution. A Canadian article revealed: "Newspaper advertisements for escort services -- many of which are run by gangs -- tripled during the casino's first year of operation. In the words of Windsor's former police chief, the casino is 'a breeding ground for prostitution.'" An article about Atlantic City further spelled out the connection between gambling, prostitution, and gang activity: "State Police also said the investigation determined that members of the…street gang were running prostitutes in casinos and on the streets surrounding them." On the streets surrounding them. Voters need to realize that a vote to expand gambling is an invitation allowing gangs, prostitution, and human trafficking right in their own backyards. So, in 2014, which will voters choose: the "freedom" and "economics" of gambling, or the safety and protection of our innocent children?
