CHICAGO (WBBM) — A coalition of prominent religious leaders is launching a campaign to keep video poker out of Illinois and particularly out of Chicago.
The Rev. Phillip Blackwell, Senior Pastor of downtown Chicago’s Methodist Temple, described a Harvard University tudy showing a 10 percent crime increase in neighborhoods where video poker machines are brought in.
He added: “We deeply care about the quality of our city institutions and do not want to see them ruined by the introduction of video poker machines,” which he described as the most addictive form of gambling.
He described it as “the crack cocaine of gambling.”
The interfaith group is calling for a moratorium on video gambling. They want Gov. Pat Quinn to prepare a state budget that contains no expectations of video poker revenue.
They’re also asking for the gambling board to call a moratorium on video gambling expansion until public hearings are held.
The group is asking that every Chicago alderman hold hearings to let ward residents vote on the idea of video poker in their ward.
The Rev. Blackwell estimated that Chicago’s downtown 42nd Ward alone could end up with more than 2,000 video poker machines which, he says, is the same number of gambling positions at two giant river boat casinos. He said the 42nd Ward doesn’t need video gambling, and the city doesn’t need it.
The interfaith group is calling for a moratorium on video gambling which has been legalized in Illinois. But 65 communities and four counties including Cook County have enacted a ban on the machines.
Chicago also has a ban on video gambling machines but the Rev. Blackwell says it’s possible some City Council members are looking to reverse that ordinance.
Among those also attending the Tuesday morning announcement of the anti-video poker drive:
- Rev. John Buchanan, pastor of Fourth Presbyterian Church
- Rev, Joy Rogers, dean of Saint James Episcopal cathedral
- Father Dan Mayall, pastor of Holy Name Cathedral
- Rev. Tom Grey, director of Illinois Stop Predatory Gambling
- Ald. Joe Moore (49th Ward)
John Cody reporting
Read the original article from WBBM News Radio.
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Accurate change in 2012!
When you Like have a little bit Fun then Play Online Casino, but when you Like make money with Online Gambling is better you Play Poker.
Video gaming would really benefit the Chicago area and Illinois. The $31 billion capital plan–the first plan of its kind in ten years–needs to be funded as soon as possible. State legislators have not come up with any meaningful funding alternatives. Therefore, video gaming is needed to implement the capital plan. The plan allocates billions to school construction, community and economic development, environmental and other projects that will benefit Chicago and Illinois. The unemployment rate in Illinois is currently at 11.1 percent and the capital plan will create 439,000 jobs for unemployed men and women. Local governments will also be able to use gaming revenue on community priorities and more job creation. Video gaming supports capital investment and job creation. For more information on the state capital plan, visit http://www.BacktoWorkIllinois.com.
Anytime there is a vote on Liquor, Tobacco or Gaming it will lose. We have many precincts that prohibit liquor.
Individual rights and businesses are at the mercy of the majority. It took years for women to even get the right to vote.
What happened toour MINISTERS when the real crack Cocaine of Gambling went through last month? Illinois now has POWERBALL. That will effect their flock 10x s more than video poker machines.
If Powerball is giving away 20 Million every time, how much do you figure it is taking in and who from??
Wake up. The giant gambling horse was released with favorable media reaction a month go. It was like we received a blessing and them ministers just rolled over.
This bill may save some businesses and will create jobs in regulation, repair, maintence, accounting, food service and liquor service. POWERBALL will just take more from women and men try to beat the odds of 20 million or more to one. One is a game the other is a myth.