On Faith
Jack Hoag
Social costs of legalized
gambling far outweigh benefitsThe Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is unalterably opposed to all forms of gambling. That might seem obvious on moral grounds, but it is also opposed simply as bad public policy. As a banker, I can affirm it is bad economics, as well.
Christ heads the church and is our exemplar and teacher. He taught us to give and help others, not take from the many -- those least able to afford it -- to enrich a few. The philosophy of "something for nothing" undermines the virtues of work, industry, thrift and service to others. State-sponsored gambling sends quite a different message to our youth.
Year after year, out-of-state gambling promoters come to our Legislature promising to solve our financial woes. If they can really bring such benefits to our islands, then why does every major local business organization such as the Chamber of Commerce, Bankers Association, Business Roundtable, Hawaii Hotel Association and Small Business Hawaii oppose legalized gambling? The Honolulu Police Department, other law enforcement agencies and U.S. Sen. Dan Inouye solidly oppose gambling in any form. Studies by objective national economists prove the social costs far outweigh the revenues remaining in a community after the offshore owners reap their profits.
John Kindt, professor of commerce and legal policy at the University of Illinois, has evidence that new gambling operations have to be subsidized by taxpayers at a ratio of at least 3-to-1 when all social welfare, infrastructure, crime and regulatory costs are added up. The host state is left with the social welfare costs that Tom Grey, executive director of the National Coalition Against Legalized Gambling, states is as simple as ABC:
>> Addiction and abuse. Domestic violence and child abuse increase when gambling invades an area. While Las Vegas has great allure, it should be noted that Nevada is No. 1 in the nation in women killed by men, high school dropouts, suicides, divorce and gambling addictions.
>> Bankruptcies and business woes. Nevada is No. 3 in the nation in bankruptcies. Bankruptcies rose 34 percent when casinos came to Iowa. Legalized gambling cannibalizes existing retailers and saps productive funds from the community. Absenteeism, employee thefts and embezzlement increase.
>> Crime and corruption. The number of youth crimes fell 5.3 percent nationally in 1995 but rose 10.3 percent in Nevada. Since the introduction of riverboat and casino gambling in New Orleans, many elected officials were convicted of corruption in the federal courts, including four-term Gov. Edwin Edwards.
Hawaii has been very careful to protect the environment from alien species that would damage our ecosystem. What could be more critical to our community than the vicious specter of gambling that would threaten our citizens, damage our economy and dilute our wonderful aloha spirit that is the essence of our island state?
Don't gamble with aloha.
Jack Hoag is a retired president of First Hawaiian Bank and director of public affairs for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
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