Plainville: Richard Sabin supports illegal gambling

(jpeg of the ticket)

Fearing retribution from the ignorant rabble that seems to populate Plainville, several parents brought the 'raffle tickets' to the attention of Mary-Ann Greanier, a Plainville resident.

This explains the genesis and the statutes, posted on facebook, noplainvilleracino page:

Janet, this isn't about the Lions or about PAL — both great organizations. Last week, I received a call from a friend with kids in PAL. "John" is a gambling addict, and he had just found 10 raffle tickets stapled to his child's PAL membership folder. When they paid the $70/child to become members, no one ever mentioned that $10 would go to raffle tickets for wagers on the Kentucky Derby. After nearly destroying his life and his family with his addiction, "John" has been in recovery for less than a year. He does not need his child's athletic league sending home the opportunity to gamble on a horse race.

"John" wasn't the only parent to call me. Others did, as well. Why didn't they write to the paper or go to the Board of Selectmen? Because they were afraid of being smeared in the papers, as I was today, or ignored by the BoS. They were afraid of how their kids would be treated. They were afraid of being singled out. So they asked me to speak for them.

Because a licensed gambling establishment is involved — Plainridge's name is the ONLY name on the raffle tickets — I called the Attorney General's office, just to find out exactly what the laws are regarding race tracks, charitable gambling (and raffles, in particular), so I wouldn't go off half-cocked, making accusations that weren't true or founded. It was based on my questions that the Attorney General became concerned and decided to investigate, but I wasn't going after the Lion's Club or any other club. I was simply asking questions.

To my mind, it doesn't matter how much money an organization gives away if they are involved in raising money in a way that isn't sanctioned and regulated by our laws. I don't know what the AG will find, but if they find that this raffle needs to change in order to be within the law, then so be it. To know the laws and adhere to them when it comes to charity gambling seems like the best way to protect everyone, especially the most vulnerable among us.

Rest assured, no organization was targeted. That said, no one is above the law.

Andrea Soucy went on about the Lions at the Board of Selectmen's meeting; they are one of the clubs that has been participating in the Plainridge raffle for years. Or perhaps Ms. Kennedy is responding to the letter in the paper today. I don't know.

Raffles are considered gambling, Ms. Kennedy. You can go to this URL to read about the law: http://www.malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartIV/TitleI/Chapter271/Section7A

General Laws: CHAPTER 271, Section 7Awww.malegislature.gov
“Raffle”, an arrangement for raising money by the sale of tickets, certain among which, as determined by chance after the sale, entitle the holders to prizes.

You can also go the Attorney General's website to get more information:http://www.mass.gov/ago/doing-business-in-massachusetts/public-charities-or-not-for-profits/soliciting-funds/raffles-and-other-gaming-activity/faqs-about-nonprofit-gaming-events.html

It reads, in part:
"Q: What kinds of gaming activities are regulated?

A: Raffles, in which a chance to win is sold to participants and the winner or winners are selected from the chances actually sold, are regulated by law. Whenever money is charged for the ticket or chance, the raffle can be legally operated only by a qualified nonprofit organization. The funds received must be used only for the purposes specified in the law. If no money is charged, anyone may legally operate a raffle, and businesses often do so for promotional purposes. Consumer protection laws apply to all raffles, however."

Gaming is interchangeable with gambling in the language of the law.

Chairman of Selectmen, Andrea Soucy, who seems to be experiencing age-related confusion, pronounced herself ruler and rendered her own decision during a Selectmen's meeting, supporting and promoting what may be determined to be ILLEGAL GAMBLING by the Attorney General. 

Part of the defense by the ignorant rabble seems to be 'we've done it this way for 12 or 14 years,' rather than acknowledge that just maybe, they should have questioned this sooner or reviewed the statute. 

Now comes Richard Sabin, who seems to feel the need to defend possible illegal gambling and express his own ignorance for the 2nd time --

 Attack on league, track unconscionable

To the editor:

I have read just about enough from Mary-Ann Greanier. Her recent attack on the Plainville Athletic League and Plainridge Racecourse is unconscionable ("Keep wagering out of youth league fund-raising", April 19). The Kentucky Derby Charity Giveaway she refers to has fueled the area non-profit organizations coffers for the past 12 years to the tune of hundreds of thousands of dollars. The Plainville Athletic League is just one benefactor of the event, others include the Plainville Lions Club, breast cancer, credit counseling, Altzhiemer's, diabetes, youth foundations, etc. None of these charities were forced to do anything, as her letter suggests. It is a fundraising event generously sponsored by the track and any local charity may participate and most anxiously do.

Plainridge Racecourse donates the prizes, and the charities keep every dollar they raise through the ticket sales. Plainridge Racecourse has continually given financial support to all our local community projects. The athletic league is one of the most well-run youth organizations in the area. All of a sudden after 12 years, now that Plainridge is applying for expanded gaming and Mary-Ann Greanier opposes them, this event is a problem? And she uses the Plainville Athletic League to grind her ax. Despicable.

Finding and then thriving on the negativity of each and every situation that arises in our town has become excruciating and exhausting to say the least. When was the last time Mary-Ann Greanier contributed positively to our community or our community's needs? This recent submission is just more of the same. Enough. Richard Sabin

Plainville

During the April 24th Massachusetts Gambling Commission meeting, during which Mr. Piontowsky and his entourage were present, the Commission reviewed 'Charitable Gaming,' the provisions and procedures under the law.

Under provisions of the Predatory Gambling legislation passed in 2011, the Commission is mandated to review the matter.

As the procedure was explained, it was indicated that a permit was required from the town clerk, proceeds were to be forwarded to the state's treasurer who then disbursed the funds. 

Since the 'raffle tickets' name a for-profit organization and charitable gambling can only be conducted by a non-profit organization, that seems puzzling. 

In addition, the 'prizes' are wagers on the Kentucky Derby which also seems puzzling.

It would seem that Richard Sabin is promoting and supporting illegal gambling, regardless of the law.

It would seem prudent that rather than attack Ms. Greanier regarding this issue, the ignorant rabble should educate themselves regarding the law, ask questions and finally, reserve judgement pending the determination of the Attorney General.