Please contact your state Representative and Senator immediately
By Peyton Majors
Christian Action League
July 14, 2023
Pro-family leaders across North Carolina are sounding the alarm on the possible expansion of gambling across the state after Republican leaders, including House Speaker Tim Moore, said the legislature may look at adding casinos to non-tribal lands.
The Christian Action League and the American Family Association are among the pro-family groups urging Christians to speak out against casino expansion in the coming weeks as the legislature finalizes details on a budget.
Multiple GOP members have said the topic of casinos may come up when the budget is voted on during August. Just weeks ago, the state legalized sports gambling.
“We could do tax reform. We could do casinos. We could do them both,” said state Rep. Jason Saine. “But until we know exactly what they’re going to look like, it is a little difficult.”
Moore said of casinos this month: “It might be something we do, but we just don’t know yet.”
As of now, casinos can only be located on tribal lands, which are located in the western part of the state. Supporters of expansion point to Virginia, which is building four casinos and recently opened its first one in Danville just across the northern border of North Carolina.
“It’s something we’ll certainly take a look at,” Moore told reporters in June. “There’s been a lot of conversation about some basically state-sanctioned casinos, non-tribal casinos. Look at what happened in Danville, Va., for example, we are looking at putting those in some economically distressed parts of the state.”
Casinos in North Carolina could “go into some of the poorest areas that are really having some challenges and look at creating entertainment districts,” Moore said.
Senate leader Phil Berger also has said the issue is worth examining.
“If you look at population centers, the real population centers are south of Danville in North Carolina,” Berger told WRAL. “So, I think there’s a legitimate concern of a drain from North Carolina into Virginia: of dollars, of business, of people. We’ll see whether or not there’s something that is practical for us to do in North Carolina to address that.”
Possible locations in North Carolina include Rockingham, Anson, Nash and Robeson counties.
Rev. Mark Creech, executive director of the Christian Action League, said casino legalization would have a devastating effect on poor communities. Government, he said, must not prey on its disadvantaged citizens.
“Gambling is an enterprise which allows one segment of our citizens to exploit and even enslave another via addiction for the purpose of financial gain,” Creech said. “Plus, I would suggest the enterprise violates the rights and freedoms of two-thirds of the public who almost never gamble yet are forced to foot the bill for the lower standard of living that gambling always leaves in its wake.”
Responding to casino advocates who say the issue is one of personal freedom, Creech said, “Governments exist to protect the wider public interest and intervene in areas where individual actions may have negative consequences on society as a whole.”
The American Family Association, in an email blast to North Carolina constituents, said gambling legalization “can have several adverse effects” on a community.
“It can lead to gambling addictions and increased crimes like theft and embezzlement,” AFA said.
“Casinos can also exacerbate economic inequality, as low-income individuals are likelier to experience gambling debt. Moreover, gambling contributes to social problems like domestic violence and suicide. While states rely on gambling revenues for taxes, this form of taxation is considered regressive and disproportionately affects low-income individuals who cannot afford to gamble.”
Will You Volunteer to Take Action?
Don’t Hesitate to Contact your Representative and Senator in the North Carolina General Assembly. Encourage them not to vote for any legislation, not even budget legislation, which includes an authorization for more casinos in North Carolina.
Although emails are good, its better to contact their office by telephone. Below are 10 talking points to help you. You can use one, use all of them, or just some of them. It’s up to you.
- Social and economic costs: Casinos have been associated with various social issues such as increased crime rates, gambling addiction, and higher rates of bankruptcy. The negative consequences can strain public resources and social services, putting a burden on the community.
- Exploitation of vulnerable individuals: Casinos exploit vulnerable individuals, including problem gamblers and those from lower-income backgrounds. These individuals are more susceptible to developing gambling addictions and often spend a significant portion of their income on gambling, exacerbating poverty and inequality.
- Economic impact on local businesses: While casinos may create job opportunities, studies have shown that they can have a negative impact on local businesses. Many local establishments, such as restaurants and small retailers, struggle to compete with the amenities and attractions offered by casinos, leading to closures and job losses.
- Regressive tax implications: Casinos often require substantial tax breaks and incentives from governments to establish themselves. These tax benefits can disproportionately favor wealthy investors and corporations, further exacerbating income inequality.
- Unpredictable revenue sources: Relying on casino revenue to fund public services is risky to say the least. Casino revenues can fluctuate greatly, especially during economic downturns, making it an unreliable and unstable source of revenue for essential public services like education and healthcare.
- Corruption and organized crime: The gambling industry has historically been associated with corruption and links to organized crime. Casinos create an environment that foster money laundering, bribery, and other illicit activities, posing a threat to the integrity of local institutions.
- Negative impact on local culture and tourism: Some argue that the establishment of casinos can diminish the unique cultural aspects and historical charm of a community. Additionally, the focus on gambling tourism may overshadow other attractions, discouraging visitors interested in different aspects of the local culture.
- Negative impact on public health: Studies have shown that areas with casinos often experience an increase in mental health issues, substance abuse, and even suicide rates. The prevalence of gambling addiction and its associated harms can have a severe impact on public health and well-being.
- Evaporation of wealth: Casinos are designed to generate profits for their owners, often at the expense of local communities. The majority of money spent in casinos tends to leave the local economy, benefiting out-of-state corporations or even foreign investors, which can lead to long-term economic losses for the community.
- Possible decline in property values: The presence of a casino can lead to a decline in property values, which negatively impact homeowners and increase residential instability within a community.
Contacting your Representative and Senator will take you a few minutes, but it will be more than worthwhile!
Here’s a good plan for your contacts:
- If you don’t know who represents you in the North Carolina House and Senate, go to the following link and get their contact information: https://www.ncleg.gov/FindYourLegislators
- Send an email in your own words. Tell them you are a constituent. Please give them your name and where you live.
- Follow up your email with a phone call. Leave a message with the lawmaker’s Legislative Assistant or another staff member if your lawmaker is not in the office or unavailable to speak with you when you call. You can also leave a voicemail. Again, it’s critical to tell them you are a constituent. Don’t forget to give them your name and where you live.
- Reject cynicism. You never know how God may use your voice in this matter. Remember the miracle of how Jesus used a small boy’s few loaves and fishes to feed thousands? God can also use what you give, even if it seems too small.
Lawmakers will be back in their offices from Monday evening through Thursday of next week. You can call their office now and leave a voicemail. Whenever you choose to contact them, please make it as early in the week as possible. The House and Senate will likely act soon because they want to wrap-up this session by the end of July or the middle of August at the latest.
Most of all, please remember to pray. Prayer empowers our actions for Christ’s sake and for the love of our neighbor.