Bishops restate no to gambling

The New York State Catholic Conference is urging the Legislature to reject an unprecedented expansion of legalized gambling as contrary to the best interests of the state and its citizens.

Press reports indicate that an agreement between the Legislature and Gov. George Pataki would result in the creation of up to six casinos, the installation of video lottery terminals at horse-racing tracks and the participation of the state in the multi-state Powerball lottery.

Unnamed officials, cited in an October 20 article in The New York Times, say a portion of the gambling proceeds would be used to fund programs provided by not-for-profit organizations. These programs are provided under contract agreements with the state and, in many cases, were unfunded or underfunded in the baseline budget passed by the Legislature in August.

Richard E. Barnes, interim executive director of the Conference, which represents the state's bishops in matters of public policy, said: "The bishops continue to reject any expansion of legalized gambling, even with the vague promises by unnamed sources of funding for social services programs.

"The fact is that not-for-profit organizations provide critical services that are properly the function of the state. They do this in a partnership arrangement. Funding for these programs is not handed out as perks to interest groups, nor should they be treated as such. The state has a fundamental responsibility to provide these services and should not resort to funding them through schemes that will only create more human need. These are basic services that should be paid for out of the state's General Fund.

"While gambling may tempt the state by the lure of economic benefits, it ultimately comes with a high cost, including a disproportionate negative impact on the poor, state-sanctioned promotion of the addictive disease of compulsive gambling and an increase in crime. We do not doubt the severe financial constraints the state will face in light of the Sept. 11 tragedy. However, the answer is not to create policies that will only result in increased poverty -- economic, moral and spiritual -- for the residents of our Empire State."

(10-25-01) [[In-content Ad]]