gambling

Games and schemes of chance are not in themselves inherently wrong. The Church recognizes, however, that a variety of social ills can become associated with any form of gambling. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church “they become morally unacceptable when they deprive someone of what is necessary to provide for his needs and those of others."

Experience indicates that a variety of social ills are associated with casino gambling. These include a tendency to promote addictive gambling, familial irresponsibility, alcohol and/or substance abuse, and organized crime.

While there are a variety of social ills which can also become associated with charitable bingo, bingo should be viewed as distinct from casino gambling. Bingo games in Ohio use 100% of the net proceeds for charitable purposes. These charities are churches, schools, fraternal groups, youth athletic programs, volunteer fire departments, senior citizen clubs, neighborhood organizations, and various service programs. Thousands of volunteers donate their time to staff such games. Communities have been generally supportive of this form of “lower stakes” charitable fundraising.

Issue 3, will allow for one casino each in Cincinnati, Cleveland, Toledo, and Columbus, and will distribute casino tax revenues to all counties. It will be on the November 3, 2009 statewide ballot.

The opposing casino organizations in the last election joined together and collected the 400,000+ signatures needed for the proposal to be on the ballot. These forces are expected to spend over $50 million on passage. Their projections are to return to the counties around $650 M. per year and create 34,000 jobs.

Issue 3: TO ALLOW FOR ONE CASINO EACH IN CINCINNATI, CLEVELAND, COLUMBUS, AND TOLEDO AND DISTRIBUTE TO ALL OHIO COUNTIES A TAX ON THE CASINOS

* Final ballot language (PDF)
* Official argument for Issue 3 (PDF)
* Official argument against Issue 3 (PDF)
* Text of the amendment (PDF)

Opponent websites against Issue 3
Truth Pac
East Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Church
votenocasinos.com

Proponent websites for Issue 3
Yes on Issue 3

Reflections from Catholic Social Teaching Related to Issue 3

Games and schemes of chance are not in themselves contrary to justice. The Church recognizes, however, that a variety of social ills can become associated with any form of gambling. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, forms of gambling “become morally unacceptable when they deprive someone of what is necessary to provide for his needs and those of others. The passion for gambling risks becoming an enslavement.” (2413)

Previous Catholic Conference of Ohio statements on gambling, made a distinction between charitable bingo and casino gambling. While there are a variety of social ills that can also be associated with charitable bingo, the gambling stakes are much lower and 100% of the proceeds are used for charitable purposes. The Catholic Bishops of Ohio would prefer, and in fact have encouraged, church institutions to raise needed funds through alternative forms of fundraising, where feasible.

Focus Question For Voter Reflection Related to Issue 3

Is Issue 3 well conceived and in the long-term best interest of the people of Ohio?

Catholic Conference of Ohio Position on Issue 3

A voter’s position on Issue 3 involves a prudential judgment where persons of goodwill may differ as to the specifics of this proposal.

The Catholic Conference of Ohio has opposed all previous statewide casino and slot machine initiatives. The Catholic Bishops in Ohio continue to believe casino gambling, as proposed in Issue 3, is not in the best moral, social and economic interests of the citizens of our state. More persons and families will be seduced into financial hardship, rather than helped. More societal problems will be aggravated, rather than improved.

Furthermore, Issue 3 appears to us to be poorly written and overindulgent toward the gambling interests of private business. Since Issue 3 is a constitutional amendment, voters have no recourse for fixing such concerns except to pass another constitutional amendment. This flawed casino proposal should not be enacted into our Ohio Constitution.

The Catholic Bishops of Ohio are opposed to Issue 3.

Catholic Conference of Ohio press statement in opposition to Issue 3

Video message from Senator Voinovich against Issue 3

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On September 30, 2009, the Governor proposed to legislative leaders a postponement in the last income tax cut in order to replace lost slot machine revenues. Legislative action will be needed [More]

On September 21, 2009, the Ohio Supreme Court ruled that groups may seek a referendum against the state's video lottery plan. Signatures may be sought to place this issue on the ballot in 2010. The state's plan to put slot machines in race tracks is in limbo. Without this projected income the state budget will be $933 M. short. [More]

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