GEORGIA: Gambling is NOT “Good for the Children”

Gambling is NOT “Good for the Children” James Magazine/Insider Advantage OPINION: Gambling is Not Good "For the Children!" by Jeanne Seaver | May 14, 2024 | The Forum | As a lifelong activist on issues affecting women and children, I cannot stand by silently, while Georgia legislators promote legalizing predatory gambling in Georgia. Neither should you. They use the false narrative, “it’s for the children.” Gambling will not help the children of Georgia. Research shows gambling addiction destroys families, reduces productivity, and leads to job loss, bankruptcy, domestic violence, and suicide. Nothing in free pre-K can ever prepare children to cope with the trauma gambling brings to families. Expanding legalized gambling would be no good for Georgians – except the profiteers. Studies consistently report high rates of problem gambling among minorities A large national study found that “Blacks had twice the rate of disordered gambling compared to Whites” and they were also “more likely to be women in the lowest income brackets” (Alegria et al. 2009). Legalized gambling will not bring Georgia a revenue windfall. In states where gambling is legal, for each dollar that gambling brings in, studies show three to five dollars are spent by the state to combat the negative impacts of gambling. Legalized gambling would add fuel to the mental health crisis we seek to quell. No amount of revenue justifies bringing this destabilizing force upon the citizens of Georgia. Suicide attempt rates for problem gamblers hover at 25-30%. Where gambling goes, vice and crime follow. Added to the world’s busiest airport in Atlanta, legalized gambling would be a boon to sex trafficking Perhaps that is why Georgia has so much outside pressure to legalize predatory gambling. The industry acknowledges the connection between gambling and human trafficking. In 2022, the American Gaming Association issued a report, Preventing and Combating Human Trafficking in the Gaming Industry. The report addresses sex trafficking and forced labor, as well as anti-money laundering measures in gambling operations. Georgia has been the target of the gambling industry for years. Our airwaves and in-boxes are filled with ads for gambling, many cartoon-like, appealing to children. The gambling industry intentionally targets children. Specifically, young adolescent boys, getting them hooked to provide the industry with lifelong customers. Children as young as 11 have been identified as gambling addicts. Nearly a hundred gambling lobbyists – including a former Governor of Mississippi – are dispatched annually to influence our legislators. They represent powerful out-of-state special interests, funded by billionaires. Slick, persuasive propaganda and nifty perks are the norm. They hold invitation-only meetings at swanky hotels and restaurants, to schmooze and strategize with our legislators. Sadly, the gambling lobby is gaining the support of influential legislators in Georgia, including some “pro-family” Republicans. In the latest attempt to legalize sports betting, one of the most addictive forms of gambling, This year, the Republican ballot has a non-binding, but quite misleading question. “Would you support a statewide vote to allow gaming in Georgia so the voters can decide this issue instead of politicians in Atlanta?” First, “gaming” commonly refers to video games, not gambling. Ask Siri. The politicians in Atlanta need a 2/3 vote to put the gambling referendum on the ballot. Backers hope to use this deceptive question to justify themselves and pressure opponents to change their vote. A statewide referendum on gambling would be required because gambling is prohibited by our state Constitution. Big gambling is at work to influence public opinion to force this binding referendum. Georgians are bombarded with gambling ads and promotions. The Braves advertise a casino on the playing field, while their games broadcast on a network synonymous with gambling. Even young children are groomed as future gamblers, with pop-up ads on their phones and computer games! With the gambling lobby pumping millions of dollars into bamboozling Georgians, would the people get balanced, accurate information on which to base their votes? Not a chance. Historically, the gambling lobby outspends gambling opponents by 250 to 1. We are already inundated by coin-operated amusement machines (COAMs) under the Georgia Lottery in many convenience stores. That will increase with this year’s passage of the COAM bill. Those who can least afford it will pour money into those machines, away from their families and into the pockets of some legislators who own them. Expanding legalized gambling would hurt Georgia’s families, change our state forever, and do irreparable harm. Protect the future of Georgia. Prevent the legalization of predatory gambling in our state! Jeanne Seaver is the founder and president of Moms Against Gambling and a Member of the Board of Eagle Forum of Georgia Please READ and VOTE on all of the Referendums. Respectfully for Faith, Family, and Freedom, Suzi Voyles President Eagle Forum of Georgia

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