As Question 3 to repeal the state's casino gambling law comes before Massachusetts voters in November, Bishop Alan M. Gates of the Diocese of Massachusetts voiced his opposition to expanded casino gambling at an Oct. 9 press conference at Old South Church in Boston, and he commends to those who may feel called to the cause a Sept. 30 letter from Bishop Doug Fisher of the Diocese of Western Massachusetts.
Fisher's letter recommends a Web site, www.faithforrepeal.com, created by an interfaith coalition to
Tracy J. Sukraw
Bishop Gates joins faith leaders speaking for casino law repeal.
share Scripture-based resource material with those interested in participating in the repeal effort. [Full text of Bishop Fisher's letter follows and also is attached below as a PDF.]
The Diocese of Massachusetts, which covers the eastern third of the state of Massachusetts, last took a diocesan position on the issue in 2007 when its annual convention voted its opposition to any further expansion of gambling in Massachusetts.
"That remains the position of the diocese today," Gates said at the press conference.
That opposition "stems not from any desire to legislate how people enjoy themselves," he said. "It stems rather from our conviction that casinos are not positive partners in the building up of strong and healthy communities," Gates said. [Full text of Bishop Gates's statement follows and also is attached below as a PDF.]
The press conference brought together Christian, Jewish and Muslim faith leaders in support of the repeal effort. It was organized by the Faith for Repeal coalition, whose three-point "pray, preach, engage" strategy is outlined at www.faithforrepeal.com.
Other Episcopal Church supporters in attendance were the Rt. Rev. Gayle E. Harris, Bishop Suffragan of the Diocese of Massachusetts; the Rev. Samuel Lloyd, Rector, and the Rev. William Rich, Senior Associate Rector for Christian Formation, of Trinity Church in Boston; and Steven Abdow, Canon for Mission Resources, Diocese of Western Massachusetts.
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Coming up: Episcopal City Mission and the Ecumenical Advocacy Coalition are hosting three forums on all four statewide ballot questions. All are welcome to come hear what each ballot question proposes, as well as discussion on the differing positions on gas tax indexing, bottle deposit expansion and earned sick time for employees, in addition to extending prohibitions on gaming. The forums take place from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Oct. 14 in Worcester; Oct. 16 in Sudbury; and Oct. 22 in Boston. Visit www.episcopalcitymission.org for more information.
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Sept. 30, 2014, Letter from Bishop Doug Fisher, Diocese of Western Massachusetts:
Dear Friend in Christ,
Jesus came to bring Good News to the poor. Casinos are BAD NEWS for the poor. We follow Jesus.
On November 4 Massachusetts voters will have the chance to keep casinos out of our communities. Multiple independent studies have demonstrated that casinos increase crime, addiction, traffic, pollution, bankruptcy, insurance rates and numerous other harms. The casino companies' message consists of one word: jobs. They've even stopped mentioning that the jobs will be at their casinos! Of course, our communities need jobs. But the problem with their job plan is that their casino proposal includes thousands of slot machines, and research has shown that every new slot machine in a community kills 1-2 jobs per year. (1) That's because people spend their "pocket change" and "fun money" on slot machines instead of spending that money at local businesses.
The industry is selling false hope, to people in need, and communities in need. Massachusetts is better than casinos. We don't need to be the 39th state in the country to allow casino gambling. Instead, let's be the first state to repeal this damaging and regressive policy to create revenue for the state. That's what we do--we lead. This is Massachusetts!
I encourage you and members of your congregation to get active in the effort to get out the Yes vote on Question 3 to repeal the casino legislation. Ecumenical partners from around the state have come together to create a website that will equip you to Pray, Preach, and Engage on Question 3. The site contains thoughtful, scripture based tools and resources that will enable you to get involved at whatever level will work. Everything you need can be found at www.faithforrepeal.com.
Please share my letter with those you know who have passion for this cause. Our hope is that word of the website gets out as quickly as possible so those who support Question 3 can get active immediately for November 4 is coming fast.
Blessings,
+Doug Fisher, Bishop of Western Massachusetts
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(1) J. Kindt, Senior Ed. (Ed.). 2009. Gambling with Crime, Destabilized Economies, and Financial Systems, 1-1,286. Buffalo, New York: William S. Hein and Company, Inc.
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Oct. 9, 2014, Statement by Bishop Alan M. Gates, Diocese of Massachusetts:
I am Alan Gates, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts. The diocese includes some 180 congregations in the eastern half of the Commonwealth. Lay and clergy representatives of those congregations meeting in convention seven years ago declared their opposition to any expansion of gambling in Massachusetts. That remains the position of the diocese today.
This opposition stems not from any desire to legislate how people enjoy themselves. It stems rather from our conviction that casinos are not positive partners in the building up of strong and healthy communities. They are not positive partners for our economy, when their claims to economic stimulation ignore the fact that their income represents funds diverted from other sectors. They are not positive partners for our families, when increased gambling leads to strains on family budget or increased bankruptcies for individuals and families. They are not positive partners for our social fabric, when those associated with their development are indicted on federal and state fraud charges.
This past summer I returned to Massachusetts after serving the Episcopal Church for 10 years in Cleveland, Ohio. A 2009 ballot initiative in Ohio authorized the construction of four casinos. Gambling expansion had been soundly rejected by Ohio voters in numerous previous ballots, but in 2009 economic distress had created a sense of desperation, and the casino industry spent $47 million to capitalize on that desperation and persuade the citizenry that casinos would breathe new life into the cities.
Now, two years after the opening of those Ohio casinos, the promises of casino supporters can be evaluated. An analysis published last month in The Columbus Dispatch included the following data. (1)
As regards jobs: The industry dangled the promise of 34,000 new jobs. The current number of ongoing employees at the four casinos is less than 5,000. Even adding the 10,000 temporary jobs created during the construction phase, the total number of jobs created has been less than half the number promised.
As regards tax revenue: The tax revenue to state and local governments after almost two-and-a-half years is still well less than the amount which had been promised for the first year alone.
As regards gambling addiction: The Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services reports that in 2013 682 people were treated for gambling disorders, compared with a recent previous annual average of 92. The number of people screened after showing problem signs in 2013 was 14,355, compared with the recent previous annual average of 1,966. Both figures show a 700 percent increase in the number of individuals and families affected by gambling addiction.
I say again: casinos are not positive partners in the building up of strong and healthy communities. The construction of casinos in Ohio has not breathed new life into the struggling economy of Ohio’s cities. It will not be good for Massachusetts.
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(1) Alan Johnson, “Ohio casinos’ revenue promises haven’t panned out,” The Columbus Dispatch, 9/1/14.