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How Do You Feel About Government Run Gambling.; Michigan's Prop. 1
Topic Started: Oct 24 2004, 10:25 PM (229 Views)
tomdrobin
Member
Here in Michigan there is a proposition on the ballot to allow local communities a referendum on gambling in their community. The governor and most other elected officials are campaigning heavily against the propostion, saying it will lead to less funding for schools. The other side claims the state has plans to expand past the lottery to internet gambling. This is one of the few issues my and wifey agree on, we are both voting for it. What I have a hard time with, is that gambling was illegal in the state for years, but now it's ok, for the state and Indian Casinos. IMO the state should not be running a gambling operation. If it is desired by a community, it should be licensed but privately owned with a healthy sin tax on the profits. I know a lot of people enjoy playing the lottery, but IMO it is a tax on those who can least afford it. Poor people handing over their dollars in hope of escaping their economic situation easily, in spite of the fact the odds are stacked against them.
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corky52
Member
"I know a lot of people enjoy playing the lottery, but IMO it is a tax on those who can least afford it. Poor people handing over their dollars in hope of escaping their economic situation easily, in spite of the fact the odds are stacked against them. "

You know whats best for them, right?
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jrf
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Member
I think internet gambling is not controllable to age limits or mental ability or sobriety. I don't like the idea of gambling being placed right in ones home. I think phone calls to bookies was always illegal anyway.

As far a gov't run, I've not heard how well the IRS did when it took over a brothel out in Nev or where ever several years ago. Hey, if they were able to turn a profit may be gov't run could be OK. New career path for gov't employees.

I do believe the tribal gambling goes to help the tribes which lessens the burdon of welfare and even road construction and education on the public sector.

Oklahoma is trying stuff. I'll be against it. We've got enough casinos up or in the works.
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olstuf
Bill
If Bush is willing to let Social Security gamble on the stock market, I guess the states could gamble on running a operation, casinos, lotteries, paramutual betting, & whatever. Most states are already in various lotteries. The profits should be used for specific items rather than give the politicos another piggy bank. You will find it doesn't generate as much income as they tell you. Saturation point is being approached pretty radidly. No one forces anyone to play. The temptation is hard to resist for many people but I don't play any of the lotteries or casinos. I don't like the odds. (and don't have any money anyway) :(
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tomdrobin
Member
corky52
Oct 25 2004, 04:29 AM
"I know a lot of people enjoy playing the lottery, but IMO it is a tax on those who can least afford it. Poor people handing over their dollars in hope of escaping their economic situation easily, in spite of the fact the odds are stacked against them. "

You know whats best for them, right?

Of course I know what's best for them. But, it's not gambling, drinking, drug abuse and the plethora of other vices that will keep their status quo. It's things like, getting and education, getting a job and becoming a contributing member of society.
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teryt
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Missing in Action Member
I think government getting into gambling is such a bunch of crap! It preys off the poor people, and gives them false hope. I used to work for Harrah's, and didn't line up well with their mission either, but at least it was free enterprise, and people choosing to waste their money in (hopefully) having a good time. But government involvement to me is ludicrous!!!! :devil:
My Boast is Christ :pray:
Soon to have MBA (I'll perhaps be smart then)
Recovering Perfectionist
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august-alberta
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Colleen - Cold Lake Alberta
Not American, but thought I'd throw my :2cents: in anyway to show that government and gambling, whether it be lotteries, bingos, or the like, does work.
In Alberta, all are legislated and strictly governed by the province.

Provincial lotteries include Video Lottery Terminals (VLTs), slot machines and ticket lotteries. The government's portion of revenue from provincial lotteries is deposited into the Alberta Lottery Fund.

The Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission (AGLC) aims to ensure gaming activities are conducted in a socially responsible manner, while providing financial returns to community based projects and initiatives.

The Alberta Lottery Fund contributes to the culture and quality of life in our province – and it's been doing that since 1989. Every year, thousands of volunteer organizations receive financial support from the Alberta Lottery Fund. These revenues total more than $1 billion each year.
Thousands of volunteer-based initiatives are funded annually.
Examples: community facilities, libraries, museums, sports and athletic events, agricultural societies, major exhibitions, arts and culture groups, wildlife and conservation projects, public athletic facilities, seniors' groups, recreation, tourism, and historical resources.
Types of public initiatives funded include infrastructure projects, school renewal and construction, seniors' facility upgrades, and health facility construction.

Alberta Lottery Fund Net Revenue (2004/2005 estimate)
Alberta Lottery Fund sources:

VLTs $ 598.6 million
slot machines $ 509.5 million
ticket lotteries $ 190.2 million
Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission - Operations ($ 136.4 million)
lottery fund interest $ 6.0 million

TOTAL $ 1.168 billion
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lottery funds are committed to initiatives administered through 13 ministries:

Agriculture, Food and Rural Development $ 16.6 million
Children's Services $ 30.0 million
Community Development $ 85.8 million
Economic Development $ 14.1 million
Finance $ 84.4 million
Gaming $ 160.7 million
Health and Wellness $ 209.3 million
Human Resources and Employment $ 16.6 million
Infrastructure $ 165.0 million
Innovation and Science $ 110.3 million
Learning $ 91.0 million
Municipal Affairs $ 24.0 million
Transportation $ 160.0 million

TOTAL FUNDING $ 1.168 billion
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My town of 13,000 has received more than $500,000 this year 2004/05 from the lottery commission. Last year was $364,000. My daughter's school received over $5000 to bring in a group for their drama classes. The Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Society received close to $500K this year. :clap: :clap: :clap:

I don't see how the government being involved in lotteries preys off the poor. All of our lotteries in Canada (and we have many) are government run. If you were to see who purchases lottery tickets, bets on VLTs or plays bingo, you would know that the majority are not poor. The case of someone 'betting the farm' are so miniscule that its not even in the equation of monies generated.
Not only poor people have a get-rich quick dream. Doesn't matter how much money people have, we all want more. :poke:
Colleen
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roscoe
Member
Build those billion dollar casinos.People will come, the best kind, tourists. They drop their cash, enjoy themselves and go home.

Tax rates go down and the unemployed are given an easy job hangin at the casino. More money in the state coffers and hey " Ya never know "

I wish the morons in our state would figure out which tribe will get the action and start building.

The only thing in our aarea is a rundown horsetrack with slot machines that issue tickets. Send the nags to florida or wherever people want to watch them and build something that many people want.
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teryt
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Missing in Action Member
Basic difference in how we view what government should be doing to/for us.
My Boast is Christ :pray:
Soon to have MBA (I'll perhaps be smart then)
Recovering Perfectionist
Christian Hedonist

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tomdrobin
Member
august-alberta
Oct 26 2004, 06:09 PM
My town of 13,000 has received more than $500,000 this year 2004/05 from the lottery commission. Last year was $364,000. My daughter's school received over $5000 to bring in a group for their drama classes. The Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Society received close to $500K this year. :clap: :clap: :clap:

And, if they got involved in other activities considered illegal by regular citizins (like recreational drugs ) they could provide even more funds. The ends don't justify the means. Your government must be extremely greedy to have all that revenue from gaming and still tax you so heavily.
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brewster
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Winemaker Extraordinaire
Tom;

I have mixed feelings about the Lotteries here in Alberta.

But we have the lowest taxes in Canada by quite a margin, so it's not a matter of greediness...
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Bow Valley Provincial Park, Kananaskis Country, Alberta
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jrf
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Member
Here in OK they are trying to get a lottery up. Don't remember for sure but the numbers were around 45% goes to winners and about 35% goes to a Lottery Education Trust Fund, if that passes with it. A lottery commission would be created as would a lottery trust board or some such thing.

We're still looking at 20% for expenses and graft and corruption.

Would you donate money to a charity with 20% overhead? Not me.

Other things on the ballots will be more slot machines and different kinds on the tribal casinos, but will allow slots at the race tracks. The race tracks are private entities. Its said to help save the horse trade.

How about letting other individual businesses in on it too. Save the laundramat business and save the grocery store business and the convenience store business.

Remington Park hacked me off. They got priviledges that stopped anyone else from getting to do what they do. I'm not sure but I think only Blue Ribbon Downs and Remington had paramutual betting and the state wouldn't let anyone else do that. But they are privately owned or corporate owned or whatever. Blue Ribbon hit hard times.

I don't like singling out one outfit and protecting them from competition. What's good for one should be good for anyone else.

If the State wants a bigger cut off the tribal stuff all we have to do is place a toll on the roads to the casinos.
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august-alberta
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Colleen - Cold Lake Alberta
tomdrobin
Oct 26 2004, 08:42 PM
august-alberta
Oct 26 2004, 06:09 PM
My town of 13,000 has received more than $500,000 this year 2004/05 from the lottery commission. Last year was $364,000.  My daughter's school received over $5000 to bring in a group for their drama classes. The Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Society received close to $500K this year. :clap:  :clap:  :clap:

And, if they got involved in other activities considered illegal by regular citizins (like recreational drugs ) they could provide even more funds. The ends don't justify the means. Your government must be extremely greedy to have all that revenue from gaming and still tax you so heavily.

I didn't know that gambling was illegal :thinking: Guess my next trip to Vegas is out. :dunno:

I guess you didn't read my post. All monies that are generated by gaming are put back into the communities. Of course, there are administrative costs but the govm't does not take a chunk for themselves.

If you'd like more info on Alberta's system you'll find out everything here:
AGLC

If you'd like to look at other legal activities that do generate revenue for the gvm't, try looking at the price of a pack of cigarettes or a bottle of booze.

As Brewster said, we don't have provincial taxes added onto the price of our goods, (other provinces pay between 7 and 10%). we pay 10% provincial income taxes across the board for all wage earners.
My province does quite well when it comes to money thanks to some tight purse strings by our Conservative leader, Ralph Klein. Its not done at the expense of the poor, rich, middleclass or business.
Colleen
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MDPD6320
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Frank - Gainesville, Florida
We have a State run lottery and there's a new millioniare every week. While it may
take money from those that can least afford it, the fact remains that someone wins
every week. Some years (1976) ago a group tried to pass a law allowing Casinos in Miami. It was defeated, and now there are casinos all over the place (except Florida)contributing to the support of the State via taxes. People were afraid of crime and criminals brought in by the casinos.

Now they have no casinos, but have the crime anyway. Go for it.

On edit I have to add, that several indian tribes now have casinos in Florida, and a attempt is underway to tax their receipts as I write.

Frank
" The government big enough to give you everything you want it is big enough to take everything you have."

"Extremism in the pursuit of liberty is no vice, and moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue"

All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.
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august-alberta
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Colleen - Cold Lake Alberta
One more note that I forgot to mention - lottery winners in Canada are not taxed on the winnings. Only when the money is invested or spent is it taxed. This may be a big difference in our systems as to why people are so against them.
Colleen
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