Day Seventeen: 18 reasons in 18 days to Vote YES on 3

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The Tragic Story of Scott Stevens

Late one August night, Scott Stevens, a successful business executive from Steubenville, Ohio and the married father of three daughters, went to the children's community soccer park he raised money to build, sat down upon a park bench he helped pay for . . . and took his own life.

In the days afterward, a letter arrived in the mail addressed to his wife Stacy. Stevens had mailed it before he went to the park on that fateful day. It read, in part:

“I know you don't believe it but I love you so much! I have hurt you so much. Our family only has a chance if I'm not around to bring us down any further. You're such an unbelievable wife and mother. I know you will hold the family together…”

The beginning of the end of Scott Stevens life began with a penny -- deposited into a slot machine at a nearby casino. Like so many before him, Scott became addicted to slot machines and ended up losing everything he and his family had worked and saved for over the years.

With addicted gamblers like Scott, a penny quickly becomes a nickel . . . becomes a quarter . . . becomes a dollar . . . becomes devastating.

If casinos come to Massachusetts, Scott's story will be repeated -- over and over and over again. In fact, it is predicted that over 100,000 Massachusetts residents will develop gambling problems. Not all will end up like Scott. But one ruined life, and one grieving family, is one too many.

Is whatever you believe might be gained from casinos,

worth everything that you will lose?

On November 4th, Vote YES to Repeal the Casino Law

Vote YES on #3

Vote YES to STOP the Casino Mess

WANT TO HELP?

3 Ways You Can:

1) Please share/post these messages widely: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100005253047911

2) Volunteer: http://www.repealthecasinodeal.org/how-to-help

3) Donate: http://www.repealthecasinodeal.org/donate

We Can't Win Without YOU!

Find the FULL list of reasons to Vote YES on 3 here:

http://massvoteyeson3.blogspot.com/

 

 

Day Fifteen: 18 reasons in 18 days to Vote YES on 3

This is how much money the businesses in YOUR city or town will lose to the casinos every year. This is how casinos hurt existing businesses and their employees:

Pittsfield: $ 6,465,620

Greenfield: $ 2,567,439

Amherst: $ 5,071,212

Agawam: $ 3,873,051

West Springfield:$ 3,866,650

Worcester: $24,899,099

Lynn: $12,578,244

Saugus: $ 3,707,923

Cambridge: $15,025,365

Lowell: $15,219,251

Revere: $ 7,414,437

Brookline: $ 8,268,122

Quincy: $12,989,646

New Bedford: $13,329,482

Brockton: $12,973,355

Plymouth: $ 7,809,182

Falmouth: $ 4,830,329

To see the full list of all 351 Massachusetts cities and towns, click on the following links:

Western Counties: http://massvoteyeson3.blogspot.com/2014/10/new-casino-gambling-losses-per.html

Central and Northern Counties: http://massvoteyeson3.blogspot.com/2014/10/new-casino-gambling-losses-per-city-or.html

Southern, Cape and Island Counties: http://massvoteyeson3.blogspot.com/2014/10/new-casino-gambling-losses-per_4.html

Please share and post widely.

Is whatever you believe might be gained from casinos,

worth everything that you will lose?

On November 4th, Vote YES to Repeal the Casino Law

Vote YES on #3

Vote YES to STOP the Casino Mess

WANT TO HELP?

3 Ways You Can:

1) Please share/post these messages widely: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100005253047911

2) Volunteer: http://www.repealthecasinodeal.org/how-to-help

3) Donate: http://www.repealthecasinodeal.org/donate

We Can't Win Without YOU!

Find the FULL of reasons to Vote YES on 3 here:

http://massvoteyeson3.blogspot.com/

 

 

 

 

 

This is how much money businesses in YOUR city or town will lose to a casino every year....

This is how much money the businesses in YOUR city or town will lose to the casinos every year. This is how casinos hurt existing businesses and their employees:

Pittsfield: $ 6,465,620
Greenfield: $ 2,567,439
Amherst: $ 5,071,212
Agawam: $ 3,873,051
West Springfield: $ 3,866,650
Worcester: $24,899,099
Lynn: $12,578,244
Saugus: $ 3,707,923
Cambridge: $15,025,365
Lowell: $15,219,251
Revere: $ 7,414,437
Brookline: $ 8,268,122
Quincy: $12,989,646
New Bedford: $13,329,482
Brockton: $12,973,355
Plymouth: $ 7,809,182
Falmouth: $ 4,830,329

To see the full list of all 351 Massachusetts cities and towns, click on the following links:

Western Counties: http://massvoteyeson3.blogspot.com/…/new-casino-gambling-lo…

Central and Northern Counties: http://massvoteyeson3.blogspot.com/…/new-casino-gambling-lo…

Southern, Cape and Island Counties:http://massvoteyeson3.blogspot.com/…/new-casino-gambling-lo…

****Please share and post widely. ****

Is whatever you believe might be gained from casinos,
worth everything that you will lose?

On November 4th, Vote YES to Repeal the Casino Law
Vote YES on #3
Vote YES to STOP the Casino Mess

WANT TO HELP?
3 Ways You Can:
1) Please share/post these messages widely:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100005253047911
2) Volunteer: http://www.repealthecasinodeal.org/how-to-help
3) Donate: http://www.repealthecasinodeal.org/donate

We Can't Win Without YOU!

Find the FULL of reasons to Vote YES on 3 here:
http://massvoteyeson3.blogspot.com/

http://massvoteyeson3.blogspot.com/…/this-is-how-much-money…

Mass. Vote YES on 3: This is How Much Money the Businesses in YOUR Community Will Lose to the...

MASSVOTEYESON3.BLOGSPOT.COM|BY JOHN EPSTEIN

 

Day Thirteen: 18 reasons in 18 days to Vote YES on 3

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Casinos Are Not Non-Profit Businesses.

 

 

 

Casinos aren't coming here for our benefit. They're coming here for theirs. Unlike the small, local businesses whose revenue casinos siphon away, casino profits leave Massachusetts and go to the owners of the casino empires. Most small business owners live here and spend or reinvest their income here. Casinos don't create wealth. They take ours, and transfer it to themselves.

Is whatever you believe might be gained from casinos,

worth everything that you will lose?

On November 4th, Vote YES to Repeal the Casino Law

Vote YES on #3

Vote YES to STOP the Casino Mess

WANT TO HELP?

3 Ways You Can:

1) Please share/post these messages widely: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100005253047911

2) Volunteer: http://www.repealthecasinodeal.org/how-to-help

3) Donate: http://www.repealthecasinodeal.org/donate

We Can't Win Without YOU!

Find the full list of reasons to Vote YES on 3 here:

http://massvoteyeson3.blogspot.com/

Day Fourteen: 18 reasons in 18 days to Vote YES on 3

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Casinos are already lining up to change the rules.

 

Some casinos have recently petitioned states to reduce their tax burden, negating the primary justification for legalizing casinos in the first place. This June, the CEO of the American Gaming Association stated that "the tax and torture model (of taxing casinos) is unsustainable" as he called for states to reduce taxes on casinos or risk losing jobs. Here in Massachusetts, casinos have already requested changes to the casino law, and they aren't even open for business yet. As long as the casinos hold all the cards (read: money and political influence), their lobbyists will keep pushing for changes that benefit them, at the taxpayers' expense. It's already happening in other states. It will happen here, too.

Is whatever you believe might be gained from casinos,

worth everything that you will lose?

On November 4th, Vote YES to Repeal the Casino Law

Vote YES on #3

Vote YES to STOP the Casino Mess

WANT TO HELP?

3 Ways You Can:

1) Please share/post these messages widely: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100005253047911

2) Volunteer: http://www.repealthecasinodeal.org/how-to-help

3) Donate: http://www.repealthecasinodeal.org/donate

We Can't Win Without YOU!

Find the full list of reasons to Vote YES on 3 here:

http://massvoteyeson3.blogspot.com/

 

 

 

Day Twelve: 18 reasons in 18 days to Vote YES on 3

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Will We Get More Casinos Than We Bargained For?

Once the door is opened for just one casino in Massachusetts, Federal Law allows recognized Indian tribes to build their own casinos without approval from the State or Gaming Commission. If the casino law isn't repealed, tribes on Martha's Vineyard and in Taunton could soon launch their own competing casinos. Additionally, Indian casinos are not bound by the same rules and are allowed to pay reduced tax rates, negating the benefit to the State.

Is whatever you believe might be gained from casinos,

worth everything that you will lose?

On November 4th, Vote YES to Repeal the Casino Law

Vote YES on #3

Vote YES to STOP the Casino Mess

WANT TO HELP?

3 Ways You Can:

1) Please share/post these messages widely: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100005253047911

2) Volunteer: http://www.repealthecasinodeal.org/how-to-help

3) Donate: http://www.repealthecasinodeal.org/donate

We Can't Win Without YOU!

Find the full list of reasons to Vote YES on 3 here:

http://massvoteyeson3.blogspot.com/

Day Ten: 18 reasons in 18 days to Vote YES on 3: Bankruptcies, Bailouts and Busts: Casinos are Failing, Not Booming

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Bankruptcies, Bailouts and Busts: Casinos are Failing, Not Booming

It's all over the news: casinos are defaulting on their debts and the casino gaming industry, as everyone knew it, is crumbling. Calling it "a worrisome trend", Moody's Investor Services recently revised its outlook for the U.S. gaming industry from "stable" to "negative" citing a "weaker demand . . . and oversupply of casinos". Taxpayer-funded bailouts -- hundreds of millions of dollars so far -- have already been approved by several states in an attempt to prevent bankruptcies, closings or layoffs. As you've seen, that doesn't always work. Keep in mind that these are the same casinos that promised tons of money to the states and municipalities, but are now seeking money from taxpayers in order to stay afloat.

Just recently, the potential buyer for the failing Trump Taj Mahal casino in Atlantic City demanded a $25 million dollar taxpayer bailout. Then he demanded a yearly tax break. Then he demanded that casino employees forfeit their pensions and their health insurance. Are casino owners really the ones we want controlling our economy and our lives here in Massachusetts?

Is whatever you believe might be gained from casinos,

worth everything that you will lose?

On November 4th, Vote YES to Repeal the Casino Law

Vote YES on #3

Vote YES to STOP the Casino Mess

WANT TO HELP?

3 Ways You Can:

1) Please share/post these messages widely: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100005253047911

2) Volunteer: http://www.repealthecasinodeal.org/how-to-help

3) Donate: http://www.repealthecasinodeal.org/donate

We Can't Win Without YOU!

Find the full list of reasons to Vote YES on 3 here:

http://massvoteyeson3.blogspot.com/

Day Nine: 18 reasons in 18 days to Vote YES on 3

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Addiction by Design, Not by Chance

 

 

These aren't your parents' slot machines. In olden days, slot machines were known as "one-armed bandits". Gamblers inserted coins and pulled levers a few times a minute as the internal wheels spun to their stop.

Today's slot machines are far more sinister. Using deliberately designed sights, sounds and patterns, today's slots are designed to hypnotize gamblers into a trance-like state. Taking credit cards instead of coins, today's "bandits" allow gamblers to place as many as 1,200 bets per hour. Occasional small payouts are cleverly engineered into the programs to create the false illusion that a gambler's luck is changing. It has been reported that as much as 85% of the casino industry's profits come from gamblers playing these machines. Addiction to slots is such a major social problem, that some states force casinos to participate in "mitigation programs" in an effort to minimize the number of addicted patrons.

Ask yourself: How do casinos "mitigate" addiction when their entire business model is dependent upon their ability to successfully create it?

Is whatever you believe might be gained from casinos,

worth everything that you will lose?

On November 4th, Vote YES to Repeal the Casino Law

Vote YES on #3

Vote YES to STOP the Casino Mess

WANT TO HELP?

3 Ways You Can:

1) Please share/post these messages widely: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100005253047911

2) Volunteer: http://www.repealthecasinodeal.org/how-to-help

3) Donate: http://www.repealthecasinodeal.org/donate

We Can't Win Without YOU!