How many casinos do you want in Massachusetts?

 (You can’t have just one…)

Gambling prospectors are trying to make Massachusetts residents think that casinos are inevitable in the Commonwealth. Gambling expansion is not inevitable. But because of the way the Massachusetts law is written, if the state approves expanded gambling with slot machines, it’s a good bet that we could have multiple casinos in state. The Governor has proposed three, but we could have five or more. And if Massachusetts goes, you can be sure there will be even more casinos in nearby southern New Hampshire and northern Rhode Island and Connecticut. But casinos and the problems they bring are not a done deal. Read more to find out what the problems are and what you can do.

 12 things you can do to stop gambling expansion in Massachusetts:

1.       Take heart! Casinos in the Commonwealth are not a foregone conclusion. Gambling expansion is not inevitable (but proponents want people to feel like casinos are a ‘done deal.’) The citizens of Massachusetts have the ability to determine our own quality of life and quality of government. Do you want a government that raises revenue from the people who can least afford to lose it?

2.       Start praying and planning on how to stop casinos! Remember the words of World Council of Churches president John Mott, “plan as if there was no such thing as prayer. Pray as if there were no such thing as planning.”

3.       Stay up to date on the push to bring casinos to Massachusetts. Read this fact sheet from the Massachusetts Council of Churches. Photocopy and share with others. 

4.       Visit, write or call  your State Representative! The Massachusetts House of Representatives will be critical to keeping casinos out of the commonwealth. Use the information from the fact sheets and the “Say ‘NO’ to Casinos” talking points to explain why you want to keep slots out of Massachusetts. To find out who your State Representative is, visit: www.wheredoivotema.com  Fill in your address and click on the name of the person listed as your “Rep in General Court.” You can then write them a letter, schedule a meeting with your Representative of give them a call. Then email council@masscouncilofchurches.org to let us know how it went!

5.    Ask others to write a letters to their State Representatives. Use these tips on organizing an anti-gambling expansion letter writing event in your
      church. Think about all the connections you have and who you can ask to write a letter- your church members, denominational officials, local clergy or
      interfaith associations, members of your denomination, your book club, your PTA, your professional organizations, folks you meet walking your dog! Ask
      your town council to pass a resolution opposing gambling expansion in your community.

6.        Preach!  Read these sermons by other pastors in Massachusetts and think about how your church can talk about this issue.

7.    Start a conversation in your community.  Read the article on "Ethical Questions about Gambling" with you adult Christian Education class, the board of deacons, a bible study group, and ask what values and principles do we think are important in this debate about good government.

8.       Include this insert in your next worship bulletin. Download the bulletin  insert.

9.       Give it some publicity! Where can you publicize this issue? Post this 50 MILE flyer.  Print this resource in next church newsletter or put a link up on your church webpage.

10.  join with others add your name to the email list for updates on the legislation and ways you can help.  To join, email us at council@masscouncilofchurches.org

11.   Support a petition drive to end dog racing in Massachusetts. If the cruel practice of keeping dogs in confined spaces for 22 hours a day is stopped, and the tracks close, there are fewer locations available to create casinos. Visit http://www.protectdogs.org/ for more information.  If your church celebrates the Feast of St. Francis (October 4) or does a ‘blessing of the animals,’ incorporate an advocacy component and collect signatures.

12.   Share the news. Let us know what you’ve done in your community so we can help others advocate. We can also connect you with other churches in your town that are having the same conversation! Please call the Massachusetts Council of Churches at 617-523-2771 or email us at council@masscouncilofchurches.org

 50 MILES

         The National Gambling Impact Study, created and funded by Congress, found that the rate of problem and
        addicted gamblers doubles within a 50-mile radius of a new casino.
 

Print out a copy of this list of 12 things you can do to help stop gambling expansion.

ECONOMIC ARGUMENTS AGAINST CASINOS