Citizens Concerned About Casino Gambling Responds to Rhode Island State Council of Churches' Support
Citizens Concerned About Casino Gambling (CCACG) released the following statement in response to the RI State Council of Churches statement urging voters to reject Question 1.
CCACG Campaign Coordinator Liz Taber, said:
“This week, the Rhode Island State Council of Churches released a statement urging voters to reject expanded gambling in Newport.
Citizens Concerned About Casino Gambling heartily agrees with the RI State Council of Churches. Casinos tax revenue is a deplorable mechanism to raise public funds. Enough is enough. With the saturation of the casino industry and a negative credit rating from Moody’s, it is clear that gambling is yesterday's solution to today’s economic challenges.
According to the study, Why Casinos Matter, casinos depend 40% - 60% on problem gamblers for their own revenue. It is deplorable that in this way the state must stand on the shoulders of problem gamblers in Rhode Island for funding. Additionally, this questionable revenue stream is mostly taken from middle and low-income populations. According to the same study, working and middle class individuals are being drained more and more by regional casino gambling. Women, low-wage workers and retirees represent a disproportionate share of casino revenue. A vote to reject question 1 is a vote to further defend Rhode Island’s hard-working citizens from State supported casino gambling.”