A group of Pennsylvania United Methodists are among those urging a committee of state lawmakers to reject Gov. Edward Rendell's proposal to legalize video lottery machines in thousands of the state's restaurants and taverns.
"Pennsylvania's government -- our elected leaders -- is now addicted to gambling and its false promises and false choices. The siren's song of easy money has lured them into the trap," said Stephen Drachler, executive director of the group A United Methodist Witness in Pennsylvania at a government hearing last week.
According to Drachler's group, the proposal would more than double the number of electronic gambling machines -- such as video poker and video keno -- in Pennsylvania if approved. Rendell administration officials estimate that roughly 8,800 establishments (restaurants, bars and clubs with liquor licenses) would sign up for an average of four machines.
Under the proposal, half of the profits would be used to defray college costs for students attending state colleges and universities. The other half would be divided between the tavern owners and the state's general fund.
Supporters say it's a good thing for students and note that thousands of illegal video gaming machines already operate in the state.
Major John Lutz, director of the state police Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement, estimated at the hearing that such illegal machines number more than 17,000. He said the proposal provides for more severe penalties and makes it easier for police to crack down on illegal machines, according to the AP.
Drachler testified that one of the "false choices" in the legislation is linking video poker profits to the creation of scholarships for Pennsylvanians attending state-owned universities and community colleges.
"Students and their parents are being used as pawns in this false choice... It is a pattern that has evolved over the past few decades in Pennsylvania and across our nation.
"Instead of working to find socially and morally acceptable solutions, government takes the easy way out by adding more gambling ... Gambling is bad economics; gambling is bad public policy; gambling does not improve the quality of life," Drachler said.
The United Methodist Church has long opposed gambling. Drachler's group is part of Stop Video Poker PA, which includes the UMC's public-policy arm in PA, the Pennsylvania Council of Churches, the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Family Institute, Casino-Free Philadelphia and Casino-Free PA who have organized to oppose the video poker proposal.
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