Connecticut Will Study Gambling Impact

The State of Connecticut, for the first time in a decade, will be taking a close look at how legalized gambling has affected life in the state by funding a study on its impact. Although the state lottery has existed since the 1970s, it will be the first analysis of legalized gaming since the Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods casinos opened in the 1990s. The study will cost $700,000 and will be contracted out to a private firm.

The study will include the state lottery system, the two Indian casinos, and Off Track Betting. There is also simulcast racing in Bridgeport. Jai alai, and live horse and greyhound racing are also legal in Connecticut, although they are currently not available. The study is to be designed to find out how the legalized gambling industry affects not only the state’s economy, but people and social services.

The casinos pump about $445 million into the state's general fund. However critics says state officials have taken the money and ignored the negative consequences of legalized gambling. Division of Special Revenue spokesman Paul Bernstein said the goal is to seek bids next month. “We’re hopeful to have a contract approved and in place so work can begin around the first of the year,” Bernstein said. “We are planning on allowing the firm probably up to a year, because we want this to be a high-quality study.” The study is to be designed to find out how the thriving legalized gambling industry affects not only the state’s economy, but people and social services.

Some are skeptical of the study and consider it a waste of taxpayer money. Connecticut state law calls for a review every five years of all state programs to determine their efficiency, but lawmakers have failed to do this for years. Why? Critics believe it’s because they might discover many of the programs are not necessary, thus putting some state employees out of work, which for a politician is not a good thing. Connecticut receives nearly a half-billion dollars a year from casino slot machine revenue along with the millions more it makes from the lottery.

My thoughts… What will the state do after this study is complete and they find that there is some very small percentage of people who have a gambling problem? Will they shut down the casinos and do away with the state lottery? No, but the state will probably increase the state budget by millions to create a program or programs to help those that are considered problem gamblers and that will require hiring more state employees to ensure the recovery of this very small percentage of lost souls. The question that arises is why aren’t any taxpayer-sponsored studies being done on the much more lethal and destructive problem of alcohol and drug abuse? I found this on the The Connecticut Alcohol and Drug Policy Council website: "No other health or social problem impacts our society so widely and so profoundly as substance abuse. The total costs for alcohol and other drug abuse to the residents of Connecticut are estimated to be over $3.7 billion annually, or $1,140 for every man, woman and child. From youth to the elderly, substance abuse affects our families, schools, workplaces and communities. It places tremendous burdens on Connecticut’s health, economic, social and justice systems."

Let’s study the effect of bars on every other corner and all the liquor stores in each town and city. Oh yeah… I forgot… The legislators and anti-gambling factions like to drink so it’s best just to look the other way on that topic.


Sources:
http://www.theday.com/re.aspx?re=f8322a62-4847-4919-8c93-897e11a7ae83
http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/local/scn-sa-gambling4jul04,0,3789759.story?coll=stam-news-local-headlines
http://www.courant.com/news/local/hc-ap-gamble,0,7353792.story
http://www.wdrc.com/extra_14.shtml