Massachusetts: The Future is Writ Elsewhere

There is no legal mechanism in Massachusetts to limit in any way or fashion the future expansion on Class III Gaming - Slot Machines!

Should Beacon Hill in its back room dealings produce another folly for legislators to consider, nothing is set in stone.

Next year, next Governor, next legislative session, next financial crisis, the legislation will change.

The numbers of Slot Barns will increase.

Consumer protections, as limited as they are, will be dismissed.

Gambling Addiction funding will be slashed - just as Massachusetts recently attempted.

When the overstated revenues fail to appear...when the regulatory costs are revealed...when more cash is needed to fund the Folly of Predatory Gambling, all promises are off - just as they now know.


This highlights the issues:
Additional Casino Gambling Vote Close, But Turned Away In Iowa


Residents in Wapello County rejected the idea of a new casino on Tuesday, although the vote was a lot closer than some expected.

Wapello is one of the counties in Iowa that does not have a casino, but proponents have been pushing the idea for the past year. Voters were not yet ready to commit, turning away the proposal by a fifty-two to forty-eight margin. It was a defeat, but it also offered hope for the future.

"We may have lost the battle this year, but that does not mean we are going to stop trying," said casino proponent Frank Billst. "Eventually, with the proper exposure and the ability to educate voters on the advantages of having a casino, we will be able to bring a casino to Wapello in the future." The Casino Vultures unwilling to ever take NO! for an answer will hound the voters, spend the money until they WIN! Gambling is EXTREMELY PROFITABLE - for the owners.


.... states, such as Ohio, have watched voters legalize casinos for the first time in their history.

In Ohio:

After Ohio voters said NO to casino gambling 4 times, $50 million was spent to persuade them otherwise. Who would think their money was wasted?


The Casino Vultures NEVER give up!

Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Colorado have made significant changes to their gaming industries, including longer hours of operation, additional games, and higher loss limits. Florida did away with their poker limits completely this Spring.

In Pennsylvania, and elsewhere, the tale is similar.

When the overstated revenues fail to appear, the cash cow of Slot Barn continues to lure all commonsense.

Government Sponsored Enslavement

Massachusetts has experienced a news blackout on the criticism and downside of government addiction to gambling revenues. Whether based on threats or promises or corporate dictates, the true costs are silenced or ignored, the devastation, increased crime, suicides not reported.

An Industry that survives ONLY because of the ADDICTED VICTIMS it leeches off, the promised 'painless revenues' dwindle as the pool of potential addicts succumb. Hence, the continual EXPANSION.

Surely caught by sharply spiraling social costs and public safety costs, Canada in desperation seeks to enslave those sitting idly at home as another "Something for Nothing Scheme." Lose your house, bankrupt your life, all in the comfort of your home! How enlightened!


This just about says it all --

In 2008, governments gained an average revenue of $528 per person (18 and over). That number was highest in Saskatchewan, where individuals contributed an average of $825 per person.



Gambling addicted governments enslaving others

By Susan Martinuk, Calgary Herald November 5, 2010

Most of us don't wake up each morning wondering what we can do to lose a lot of money today. But, apparently, a growing proportion of Canadians do and, thanks to our provincial governments, there are no shortage of opportunities.

So, fuelled by the insidious advertising message that with a little bit of luck they can beat the odds and live the good life, they head off to dump their cash at the local casino.

But everyone else knows that gamblers rarely win and, even if they do, the cost can be high. So why do our provincial governments continue to believe they can rake in huge profits from the gaming industry without incurring any long-term costs?

A just-released report from the Institute of Marriage and Family Canada (IMFC) states that it's a conflict of interest for governments to run gaming casinos for profit, while trying to promote a message of restraint and responsibility to gamblers. According to the report, Government Gambling and Broken Families, governments are in the business to make money, so "efforts to curb gambling of any kind will have little incentive to be successful."

Consequently, the report calls on governments to remove themselves from the gaming business and put a halt to any plans to expand gambling in their provinces.

Unfortunately, gaming has just one thing to offer and it's the one thing that governments so desperately want -- profits. Statistics Canada reports that net gambling revenues increased dramatically over the past two decades as cash-addicted (and cash-strapped) governments refitted their laws to allow gaming casinos and to put video slot machines in bars. Gambling net revenues grew from $2.73 billion in 1992 to a whopping $13.75 billion in 2009.

In 2008, governments gained an average revenue of $528 per person (18 and over). That number was highest in Saskatchewan, where individuals contributed an average of $825 per person.

Despite the windfall, revenues have flattened since 2005 so governments are looking for more ways to expand their revenue base. As of September, B.C., Ontario and Prince Edward Island are allowing Internet gambling. According to the report, the Ontario government estimated that Ontarians were spending up to $400 million per year on private, online gaming sites and that was $400 million that was slipping through their hands. Hence, online gambling is now legal and the government is now claiming its share of those revenues.

In a truly free society, there's nothing wrong with building casinos and giving the public the opportunity to choose whether or not they want to waste their time and money. It's called individual responsibility. But, the problem is, those who are most addicted to gaming are the least able to make responsible decisions.

The report stats [sic] that 3.2 per cent of Canada's adult population (18 and over) has a gambling problem. But another five to 10 others are directly affected by the behaviour of each problem gambler. That means the real number is closer to 12 to 25 per cent of our population. That means the government is fuelling the negative social behaviours of one in eight people; maybe even as much as one in four.

Government gambling isn't just a tax on stupidity; it really is, as they say, a tax on the poor. Low-income households (making less than $20,000/year) spent more than twice as much on gambling as high-income families (making more than $80,000/year).

The Hollywood version of casino gambling is one of rich men in tuxedos playing high stakes blackjack and sipping Scotch as casino owners anxiously wait to see if some high roller is going to break the casino. But the reality of casino gambling is poor people sitting at VLTs and sipping beer while governments greedily rake in the winnings.

Seduced by big money, governments have tried for too long to play both ends of the stick -- to discourage irresponsible gambling while exploiting casino gambling for their own profit. But the social impact of gambling on families, while difficult to quantify, is growing, and that's why this report wisely calls on governments to get out of the gambling business.

Sadly, it's not enough for society to have to help those addicted to gambling. We also have to be on the watch for governments with the same addiction.

Susan Martinuk's column runs every Friday.

© Copyright (c) The Calgary Herald

Sheldon Adelson/Sands sued

Another Casino Vulture salivating to suck discretionary income out of poor communities in the Commonwealth hits the news --

Former Sands Macau executive alleges he was wrongly fired
By Steve Green

Steve Jacobs, former point man for Las Vegas Sands Corp. in the fast-growing Chinese gambling district of Macau, claims in a lawsuit he was fired over disputes, including his resistance to demands that he engage in improper and illegal activity.

In a complaint filed this week in Clark County District Court in Las Vegas, Jacobs says he was improperly terminated as CEO of Sands China Ltd. after conflicts erupted with Las Vegas Sands CEO and Chairman Sheldon Adelson.

Jacobs was hired to run Sands’ Macau gambling and hotel operations in May 2009 at an annual salary of $1.3 million plus bonuses under a three-year contract, the suit says.

The lawsuit says Jacobs received a positive performance review by Sands Chief Operating Officer Michael Leven for 2009 and that he had repaired relationships in Macau, where officials had stopped meeting with Adelson because of his “rude and obstreperous behavior.”

But the lawsuit says that in July, Jacobs was terminated and “escorted off the property by two members of security in public view of many company employees, resort guests and casino patrons” and was escorted to the border to leave Macau.

Some of the conflicts with Adelson were over issues such as demands that Jacobs use improper “leverage” in working with Macau government officials and prominent Chinese banks on a Four Seasons Apartment project, the lawsuit said.

Jacobs also claims Adelson ordered him to arrange investigations of Macau government officials so that “negative information” could be used to thwart government regulations and initiatives adverse to the interests of Las Vegas Sands.

The suit said he was pressured to use a Macau attorney, despite concerns this could risk violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, and that he was told not to disclose “material information,” such as cost overruns to the Sands China Board of Directors.

The suit also claims Jacobs disagreed with Adelson’s desire to aggressively grow the Macau junket business because of its low margins, credit risks and investigations alleging connections between Las Vegas Sands, triad organized crime groups and the junket business.

Jacobs says in the lawsuit that while Las Vegas Sands said he was fired for cause, including exceeding his authority and failing to keep the board of directors informed, these reasons were “manufactured” and “pretextual.”

Because Las Vegas Sands claims he was fired “for cause,” Jacobs says, he’s been deprived of the right to exercise stock options he had been awarded as well as at least one year of severance pay.

The lawsuit alleges breach of contract, tortuous discharge in violation of public policy and other counts and seeks unspecified compensatory and punitive damages.

The tortuous discharge count alleges: “Certain of the improper and illegal demands made upon Jacobs by Adelson would have required Jacobs to engage in conduct that he, in good faith, believed was illegal.”

Las Vegas Sands typically doesn’t comment on lawsuits and hasn’t yet responded to Jacobs’ lawsuit, which was filed by Las Vegas attorneys Donald Campbell and J. Colby Williams of the law firm Campbell & Williams.

But Jacqueline Wu, a spokeswoman for Sands China, told Bloomberg, "We deny the allegations."


COMPLAINT


Not totally unrelated, this recent article about Sheldon Adelson was interesting:

Billionaires Behaving Badly: Sheldon Adelson

So much like the Koch Brothers, he lavishly funds his 'interests' behind the scenes.

Maine: Reminders of Middleboro and Fall River

Watch closely!

Wherever the Casino Vultures salivate to suck discretionary income from the local economy, the scenario remains the same:

Secret Meetings

Executive Sessions

Public Excluded

Rushed deals

Inadequate details

Questionable [overstated] claims of jobs and revenues

Phony promises


Wayne Perkins, the Chairman of the Middleboro Board of Selectmen claimed that towns with casinos don't pay property taxes.

The Tyrannical Marsha Brunelle, subsequent Chairman of the Middleboro Board of Selectmen gaveled residents to silence so she didn't have to answer questions.

It's always the same.

In the case of Maine, it's just another SLOT BARN, much like Fall River.

Biddeford voters clash over racino proposal

BIDDEFORD — Tensions ran high on Tuesday, when a standing room only crowd packed City Hall to discuss the proposal to bring harness racing and an accompanying slot machine facility to Biddeford. Discussion by proponents and opponents of the measure at times elicited applause, booing and shouting.

The issue became public on Aug. 17 when, after holding an executive session, the City Council voted to place a referendum question on the Nov. 2 ballot asking residents whether or not they want a racino in Biddeford.

The proposed $125 million development, dubbed Biddeford Downs, would include a harness racing track, a facility with 1,000 or more slot machines, and a hotel and entertainment complex. It is proposed to be built on a 70-acre city-owned parcel of undeveloped land along the Andrews Road.

Investors in the project include Scarborough Downs owner Sharon Terry, who would move the track to Biddeford, and hotel developer Ocean Properties LTD.

Supporters, including city officials, claim the proposed racino would bring 500 jobs – paying on average $30,000 per year, according to the developers – as well as much needed tax revenue to the city.

Opponents object to the lack of specific information about the deal, the fast-tracking of the proposal, the location, a possible increase in crime and other issues.

Many of those opposing the racino sported stickers supporting Citizens Against a Bad Deal, a group that has formed in opposition to the racino.

A petition by the group, calling for a public meeting on the issue, was presented to the City Council Tuesday.

Although a public forum on the issue was held on Oct. 4 at the City Theater, those against the racino complained that it was one-sided since only the investors and the Mayor Joanne Twomey, who supports the racino, were allowed to make a presentation.

A public hearing on the racino referendum will be held Monday, at 6 p.m., in City Council Chambers, at City Hall.

In addition to what they say is the one-sided promotion of the proposal by the city, opponents also object to the process used to get the referendum question on the local ballot.

The executive session during which the issue was discussed prior to the council’s vote on the question was illegal, said Portland attorney Timothy Shannon.

The 30-day time limit for someone to object to the legality of the executive session has expired, said City Attorney Keith Jacques, and therefore it is legal.

Lack of public discussion and public notice prior to the council’s decision, as well as using city resources to promote the project were also concerns, said Shannon.

“What’s the hurry?” asked resident and small business owner Holly Culloton, whose opinion was echoed by many of those who said they planned to vote “no” next month.

Even those who said they might support the racino said they didn’t have enough information to make an informed opinion.

“A ‘no’ vote would be a better vote until all your questions are answered,” said resident Dana Johnson.

Some objected to the potential increase in crime from a racino.

Resident Joshua Bodwell said despite what the Bangor police chief has said in the press, there has been a 40 percent increase in crime in that city since Hollywood Slots opened in 2005.

Bangor is the only city in Maine with a racino.

Conservation Commission Chairman Denis Rioux said the proposed location of the racino was his concern. He said the parcel proposed for the development, between the Andrews Road and South Street, is a significant wildlife habitat that would be threatened by a project of such magnitude.

City Councilor Patricia Boston, who voted to place the referendum question on the ballot, said she wished she could take her vote back.

“I drank the Kool-Aid,” said Boston.

She said she expected there to be more public information about the proposal, but she said that hasn’t been forthcoming.

In addition, while the mayor has said a “yes” vote in November is needed to begin negotiations and the process could be stopped, Boston said, according to the City Charter, a “yes” vote would be binding.

After the meeting, City Manager John Bubier said a “yes” vote would not be binding because the language of the question notes that needed approvals must be received and the city must negotiate a deal to its liking for the project to go forward.


A number of racino opponents alluded to the proposed racino being as bad for the city’s economic prosperity as the Maine Energy Recovery Company’s downtown waste incinerator. Others claimed that the jobs that would arise from the development would be menial jobs like housekeeping.

After the public spoke about the issue, a motion to not use city, state or federal dollars on the racino project was tabled until after the election on Nov. 2.

Suicide: Let's pretend it's entertainment

No Evil Monkeys by Aspen Country

Tragic young mother addicted to pokies: coroner

October 18, 2010

A coroner has found a direct link between a young mother's suicide and her addiction to poker machines.

Katherine Natt, 24, died in August 2006 after taking an overdose of paracetamol.

South Australian Coroner Mark Johns said a suicide note left by the Adelaide woman indicated she had been addicted to poker machines for some time, losing thousands of dollars.

Advertisement: Story continues below "Katherine's suicide note and the evidence taken at this inquest show that she was addicted to gambling on poker machines as a result of which she suffered heavy financial losses and became concerned that she would lose the custody of one or both of her children," Mr Johns said in his finding.

"In consequence of these matters she took an overdose of paracetamol in what was a clear act of suicide."

But Mr Johns said there was no basis to draw a particular link between Ms Natt's employment at the Adelaide casino and her undoubted gambling addiction.

He said the woman did not seek assistance from a counselling service provided by the casino and did not raise her problems with management.

The coroner has recommended a copy of his findings go directly to Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Tasmanian independent MP Andrew Wilkie following recent indications that the federal government might consider new measures to deal with problem gamblers and poker machines.

In the US, the dying media is gagged, threatened or bought off by ad revenue and ignores the ultimate price of Gambling Addiction - SUICIDE.

The majority of profits regardless of what we call the SLOT BARN facility come from a small number of patrons - GAMBLING ADDICTS.

The media willingly repeat the canned rhetoric from the Gambling Vultures about the great benefits and ignore the costs.


What's a human life worth?


Not much if you're a GAMBLING VULTURE apparently.

Majestic Star's bankruptcy clouds renewal

Another Too Big to Fail?

It was clearly explained to the Beacon Hill crowd that once the Predators are invited into the Commonwealth, the state becomes stakeholder, invested in the success of the venture. In the case of Majestic Star's bankruptcy, Gary's addiction to gambling revenues has enslaved them.

Gambling Vultures are no longer a 'business' that contributes to the vitality of a city along with many others, but becomes the 'owner.' What other business would become so entwined?


Majestic Star's bankruptcy could confuse license renewal

September 16, 2010

BY JON SEIDEL
Majestic Star Casino's bankruptcy could complicate things today when the Indiana Gaming Commission decides whether to renew the company's twin riverboat gambling licenses in Gary.

The Gary City Council is ready to send the casino and its owner, Don Barden, packing. Even Gov. Mitch Daniels, who appoints the members of the Gaming Commission, had reservations about Majestic Star when he visited the region in April.


Learn more

WHAT: Indiana Gaming Commission meeting

WHEN: Noon, Lake Co. time

WHERE: History Reference Room, Indiana State Library, 315 W. Ohio St., Indianapolis

"Clearly, there are big, big problems with the current ownership," Daniels told the Post-Tribune.

But Ed Feigenbaum, editor of Indiana Gaming Insight, said it could be counterproductive for Gary if Majestic Star loses its licenses while in bankruptcy court. That's because the loss could complicate Majestic's ability to emerge successfully.



Gary, meanwhile, was listed as the casino's 10th largest creditor when it filed for bankruptcy in November.

That's why Feigenbaum said the chances of the Gaming Commission denying Majestic Star's renewal bid today are between "slim and none."

"And slim can't get out of town on the Borman because of all the construction," Feigenbaum said. "It just isn't going to happen."

That doesn't mean there won't be conditions attached to today's decision. When the Gaming Commission granted a renewal in 2007, it asked Barden to submit quarterly financial reports.

Since that renewal, Barden filed a lawsuit against Gary and stopped making payments due to City Hall under the terms of a disputed local development agreement. That exacerbated what, at the time, was an emerging financial crisis still threatening to sink City Hall.

But Majestic Star argues the city failed to keep a promise to build an access road from Cline Avenue to the casino property despite receiving more than $200 million in casino revenue since 1996.

Larry Buck, Majestic Star's general manager, said he doesn't think the gaming commission would hesitate to pull a casino's license just because of a looming bankruptcy case.

However, as of Wednesday afternoon, he said Majestic Star had no warning that the loss of its licenses was imminent.

"If there was something of that magnitude looming, they would already be communicating to us, I would think," Buck said.

Still, Gary's City Council passed a resolution in May asking the Gaming Commission to pull them.

Mayor Rudy Clay has also become increasingly critical of Barden. Gary Corporation Counsel Susan Severtson said the city and the casino were trying to resolve their legal issues Wednesday, just as they have been for years.

But Severtson said Clay won't endorse Majestic's license renewal without a resolution. That means a breakthrough is needed by noon, local time, today. And Severtson said she expects the Gaming Commission to consider Clay's comments in its decision.

"We trust that it matters," Severtson said.

Indiana law is vague when it comes to outlining the conditions for renewal or revocation of a casino license. It says the commission can revoke a license if it "determines that the revocation of the license is in the best interests of Indiana."

Feigenbaum said Majestic Star appears to be paying its bills to the state and to its vendors. County records show it owes more than $20 million in overdue taxes, but Buck says that's because those taxes are under appeal.

"Indiana law permits taxpayers to pay tax while their appeals are pending based on the pre-appeal assessment of their property," Buck said in a statement. "This law applies equally to all taxpayers, including business and commercial enterprises."

Buck also pointed out Majestic Star has made several contributions to the community since it came to town.

"In addition, we will have invested millions of dollars in 2009 and additional millions of dollars in 2010 to improve our casinos so that we can remain competitive in the Chicagoland market," Buck wrote.

Another Dirty Little Secret

Maybe it's a secret that the Gambling Vultures employ people who post comments in response to articles and OpEds, cause all kinds of negativity with personal attacks, resort to name-calling, raise inflammatory issues and post phony facts.

In Pennsylvania, the Gambling Vultures spent $60 million and gambling legislation was passed at midnight on the 4th of July in the birthplace of the nation.

In Ohio, the Gambling Vultures spent $50 million on their 5th attempt amidst phony promises and only won by 2 points.

Massachusetts' Beacon Hill let the Vultures off cheap at $20 million!

Middleboro was invaded by the leech-types on numerous occasions.

Maybe the best example was the older gentleman who inquired if the Town Hall was, in fact the Town Hall, as he stood in the Town Hall parking lot.

If you look at the Town of Middleborough web site, you'll notice that the Town Hall, in the upper right hand corner is two shades of brown, pretty unique.

If you live in the area, you remember the lengthy discussions about whether to retain the white of the most recent incarnation or restore the historical colors of two shades of brown.


The Casino Shill ventured into the hall of the Town Hall where an over-flow crowd of proponents and opponents had gathered - neighbors, known to each other. Many had grown up together, spent their lives together, were intertwined, participated in the same events, same committees to support the Town they shared.

The Casino Shill sized up those present and called the Casino Proponents "Indian Lovers," almost provoked a fist-fight that was calmed by a life-long Town resident.

It had the successful desired effect and the Casino Proponents were off and running and willing to write letters to the editor condemning their neighbors and painting all with the same broad brush, without identifying the man who was unknown to ALL and never seen again.

From that perspective, a jaundiced eye views the SHILLS and the Vultures.

The willingness of the Gambling Vultures to employ inflammatory attacks that distract from their intent of sucking every last discretionary dollar from those who can least afford it is concealed by the name-calling.

Sometimes, we're pretty gullible.

(No offense intended to the Vultures who kill to survive, unlike the human greed factor that enriches the already wealthy at the expense of the gullible.)