Other Forms of Gambling

Why Commercialized Gambling is Different Than Any Other Business

Below is the testimony of Les Bernal, National Director of Stop Predatory Gambling, before a Georgia Legislature study committee on gambling in October 2019. As part of his presentation, Bernal explains why commercialized gambling is different than any other business. A copy of Bernal’s slides can be found here.

Les BernalWhy Commercialized Gambling is Different Than Any Other Business
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New Illinois Report: Increased access to video gambling leads to to rise in violent and property crimes in Chicago

An academic paper written by PhD candidates at the University of Illinois took a closer look at the expansion of video gambling machines in the state and their relation to crime.

According to the paper, “increased access to video gambling leads to a statistically significant rise in violent and property crimes in Chicago.”

More from the paper:

On average, being near at least one video gambling establishment is associated with a 7.5% and 6.7% increase in violent and property crime. These estimates control for potential confounders, including access to riverboat casinos, community area specific trends, and demographic controls. Reassuringly, these effects are strongest in the block groups closest to video gambling establishments. The effects decrease as gambling access declines, becoming zero after moving three census block groups away, and remaining at zero thereafter.

View original report

Les BernalNew Illinois Report: Increased access to video gambling leads to to rise in violent and property crimes in Chicago
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A summary of the instant racing debate

New to the issue of instant racing machines? Read this terrific summary that details state-by-state the major debates going on around the country regarding these machines. It also gives a synopsis of what instant racing is and draws the conclusion that instant racing machines are very similar in many ways to regular slot machines.

State-by-state summary of instant racing debate

LesA summary of the instant racing debate
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What’s it like to play an instant racing machine?

Attached is a first-hand account from Debbie Blank and Pat Loonjer, both of Nebraska and both members of Stop Predatory Gambling, regarding what it’s like to play an instant racing machine- a growing trend at race tracks across the country. Gambling interests paint these machines as no different than betting on a live horse race, but reading this account shows how far that is from reality.

Field Trip to Ellis Park

LesWhat’s it like to play an instant racing machine?
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Nebraska Attorney General on instant racing machines

Attached is a copy of the Nebraska attorney general’s opinion regarding  a bill that discusses whether or not instant racing machines are legal under the Nebraska constitution. In the end, the attorney general, Jon Bruning, concludes that, “LB 1102’s attempt to authorize wagering on the results of previously run horse races through the use of IRTs [instant racing terminals] resembling slot machines or other video gambling devices does not constitute a form of parimutuel wagering which the Legislature may permit”. In other words, according to the attorney general, under the Nebraska constitution, instant racing machines, or terminals, are not legal methods of gambling.

Nebraska attorney general opinion1

Nebraska attorney general opinion2

LesNebraska Attorney General on instant racing machines
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Maryland attorney general comes out against instant racing machines

Below is a copy of the opinion of Douglas Gansler, the attorney general for the state of Maryland, wherein he explains that he does not believe instant racing machines are legal, due to the fact that they do not use pari-mutuel betting (betting against a pool rather than against the house) and are thus a form of slot machine, which is not allowed at Maryland race tracks. This opinion represents a large development because the legal arm of government has begun not to support these machines.

Maryland Attorney General Opinion

LesMaryland attorney general comes out against instant racing machines
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Watch an instant racing machine in action

Many of the gambling interests have argued that instant racing machines are similar to betting on a live horse race and that they should be allowed in states where slot machines are not because they are different than slot machines. Others argue that in practice these machines are little more than slot machines in disguise. Watch for yourself and see what you think: Does this look like a horse race or a slot machine to you?

 

LesWatch an instant racing machine in action
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Proposal to withdraw rules for the installation of instant racing machines

This attached letter is a proposal sent to the executive director of the Texas Racing Commission, Chuck Trout, asking him to withdraw proposals for the installation of instant, or historical, racing machines. The author argues that these machines are no different than slot machines, which are banned in Texas. Also included is the patent for these machines as well as an affidavit regarding an experience with these machines.

Letter_to_Chuck_Trout

LesProposal to withdraw rules for the installation of instant racing machines
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