GAMBLING MEASURE OPPOSED

A group known as the "Don't Gamble with Missouri Rivers Committee" is opposing Proposition A on the Nov. 3 ballot.

The proposition would bring riverboat gambling to Missouri.

A member of that group, the Rev. Larry Rice of the New Life Evangelistic Center, held a press conference here Saturday to express his concern that state supported gambling like this will make gambling "the addition of the 90s."

Rice takes strong issue with ads being run now by proponents of Proposition A that suggest riverboat gambling is a good investment because of the tourism and tax dollars it will bring to the state.

He points out that the figures are misleading, but even more important is the impact gambling has on society.

"It is not all it is cracked up to be," said Rice. "Having state-supported gambling simply encourages gambling. It's the lure of it all."

Rice said he fears that advertising promoting riverboat gambling will lure young people to get involved in gambling because it will sound exciting and attractive. He believes youths will decide, "If mom and dad can go on a riverboat to gamble, what's wrong with throwing dice?"

Even though there is a loss limit of $500 per excursion in the proposed Missouri law, Rice fears gambling in the state will be expanded as a result of this. He is concerned that once gambling is legalized, it will be easier to lift loss limits and expand it beyond just the Missouri and Mississippi rivers.

Riverboat gambling is being promoted as a way of stimulating the tourism industry, but Rice believes it will backfire.

"Pretty soon our tourism industry will shift from country music, our heritage and history to the lure of gambling," warned Rice. "It seems Missouri family values and morals we've had in the past no longer mean anything."

Rice, whose group operates homeless shelters around the state, noted that there are an increasing number of people on the streets because of losses incurred from gambling or an addiction to it.

"It is not a good investment," said Rice, who also opposes a constitutional amendment on the ballot that allows for the simulcasting of horse racing.

He points out that local governments get only a half percent of the tax revenue and that Iowa's riverboat tourism is down 80,000 people this year over its first year of operation.

Rice warns that as competition increases, advertising will increase, making gambling look more enticing. He also fears that some of the revenue projections outlined in TV ads will fall short because boats will likely move to other states.

"If Missouri approves riverboat gambling, will the saturation point be surpassed after local communities have invested millions?" asked Rice. "Will such communities then be trying to out-do each other in the form of tax abatements and incentives to the owners of these floating casinos.

"Do Missouri taxpayers really want to allow millions of dollars of their taxes to be invested in an industry that can move out any time if a better offer is made down the river? Don't taxpayers in St. Charles and other communities realize that just as quickly as the Casino Belle can move out of Dubuque, Iowa, for St. Charles, it can just as easily float out of St. Charles leaving them with a vacant entertainment center on 52 acres of land along the Missouri River."

Rice added, "All those TV ads being run have been paid for by people who will use it to add to their empire."

In particular, Rice is critical of Pittsburgh millionaire John Connally, who has two boats in St. Louis he would quickly convert to gambling if the law passes. Connally has boats in other states that have legalized riverboat gambling.

"He becomes richer while the poor become poorer," complained Rice.

Proponents of Proposition A contend that states like Iowa have not had problems with crime as a result of gambling. But Rice contends that is only because they have had it only a short time.

He suggests if the state needs additional revenue it should increase the taxes on things like beer rather than promoting gambling.

"We have problems with addictions to alcohol and drugs, and now we will be facing addictions to gambling," summed up Rice.