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More gambling a bad bet
Within a short distance of Spokane, you can find four casinos (two owned by the Spokane Tribe), over 100,000 square feet of gaming space, all the slot machines, table games and high-stakes bingo any gambler could ever get enough of; not to mention the five local commercial card rooms (with a total of 60 tables) and the state lottery games offered in every grocery store.
Where is the public demand for more gambling outlets? The only “players” asking for more are the Spokane Tribe, Airway Heights City Council, and Gov. Chris Gregoire. Greed is a funny thing: There is never enough.
A significant percentage of gamblers are more likely to lose their income, even their unemployment and welfare checks, their marriages, and their mental and physical health because of local casino access. Youth are 10 times more likely than adults to become addicted.
“The estimated social cost to families and communities from problem gambling-related bankruptcy, divorce, crime and job loss was almost $7 billion last year,” the National Council on Problem Gambling testified to Congress Oct. 25.
Spokane citizens cannot afford another casino. County commissioners and businesses should not remain silent. Enough is enough!
Penny Lancaster
Spokane