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Updated: 9:20 PM Jan 4, 2010
Video Gambling Legalized in Rockford
As of right now video gambling is legal in Rockford but a vote from city council this month could opt us out of the extra revenue source.
Posted: 9:16 PM Jan 4, 2010 |
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4 Comments 
As of right now, video gambling is legal in Rockford but a vote from city council this month could opt us out of the extra revenue source
A sub-committee meeting voted in favor of the machines but, Alderman Frank Beach thinks the city should hold a public hearing before the decision is final.
Some council members disagree, saying they've already heard from Rockford residents on the issue and that it would be a step backward considering our city has lobbied for a capitol plan for years.
Several church leaders feel poker machines will significantly damage our city and that for every economic stimulus dollar we earn, another person will be addicted to gaming.
Other counties in the Chicago area have opted out of video gambling but, aldermen believe that's because some cities are trying to protect their casino revenue.
City council is expected to take up this issue at next week's meeting.
Video gambling is one of several methods used to pay for the capitol plan. Others include a higher cigarette and alcohol tax, which took effect July 1st.
Latest Comments
People who become addicted to something have an addictive personality, meaning they can become addicted to anything. So, not allowing the majority of the public to have the ability to play video poker won't solve the issues of the people with addictive personalities. If we are to limit access to addictive things to the entire public do to the problems of a few, that means we should get rid of the Internet, alcohol, cigarettes and even food. Since all of those things have people for whom are addicted. And the church statement that for every dollar in taxes collected, one more person will be addicted to gambling is simply ignorant. The easily addictive aren't the majority, they are the minority. So why punish the many for the potential actions of the very very few?
Ketta, you don't seem to understand how the law-making process works. You elect legislators who decide what you can or cannot do. You also misunderstand the issue being discussed. It's not WHETHER you can gamble. It's WHERE you can gamble. Just as legislators have decided you can't smoke at the office or drink in the car, they have the right to decide where you can gamble. Those addicted to gambling have the highest suicide rate of any addiction. The more gambling that's available and the closer, or more convenient it is, the more people who will become addicted. The issue being discussed is "convenience gambling".
People need to stop thinking that they can tell grown people what to do! You don't have the right! If you don't want to gamble, don't! But you don't have the job of judging anyone or running things, so stop it! I'm sure most people know what they should or should not spend and just like a person can take a chance and loose a few spare dollars, with them few dollars they may can win some much needed extra dollars. It's more than one way to look at it. The Lottery can be damaging as well as anything, people play everyday and I don't see a high percentage of suicides from it. People are not as weak as you portray them to be!
