IMPORTANT NEWS

• Duke University study found that the poorest third of households buy more than half of all lottery tickets. 
• Buffalo University Survey showed the lowest fifth on the socioeconomic scale had the "highest rate of lottery gambling” (61 percent).
• Lottery sales increase poverty rates. Studies conducted across multiple states showed that the majority of scratch-off tickets are purchased by those with below-average incomes; those who often struggle to buy basic necessities
• Local lottery ticket sales rise with poverty. Researchers call this “desperation hypothesis”: States are making their most hopeless citizens addicted to gambling to pay for government services
• The lottery can be termed a regressive tax because the state takes a greater percentage of income from those with lower incomes

Conclusion: It’s cruel that the majority of money being spent on the gambling will come from the limited resources of the poor all under the banner of voluntary entertainment.  Legislators should focus on legislation that promotes job-friendly environments and fosters strong families.  Those are things that lift people out of poverty.

• The facts show that lottery revenues decrease over time. This is problematic as legislators will need to raise taxes to make up for the decrease.
• Gambling actually sucks money out of the economy. An average $325 a year is wagered on lottery tickets for every adult in the United States
• For every dollar raised for the state by a lottery an additional 52 cents must be taken in to pay the expenses of raising that dollar”.

Conclusion:  The negatives that gambling brings to a state far outweigh the revenues gained.  Legislators should rely on common-sense budget reforms and shrinking government rather than relying on gambling income. 

• HB151/HB152 will open the door to on-line gambling which can be played at home or on the go. Not only does this put children at risk but, “The medical and psychological communities have determined that electronic gaming – particularly gaming on smartphones, tablets or internet connected video games – is the “gateway drug” for creating new gambling addicts. 
• 60% of those addicted to gambling will commit crimes.
• 20% of gambling addicts commit or attempt suicide
• 63% of gambling addicts are alcoholics
• 20% of addicted gamblers have filed for bankruptcy
• 50% will abuse spouses and children
• 20% of the homeless are gambling addicts
• 50% of gambling addicts will divorce
• The average (gambling) debt is between $63,000 and $110,000
• Recently, scientists and mental health professionals decided to classify problem gambling as a behavioral addiction, the first of its kind, putting it in a category of disorders that also includes substance abuse. The reason for this change comes from neuroscience research, which has shown that gambling addicts have a lot in common with drug and alcohol addicts, including changes in behavior and brain activity.

Conclusion:  Gambling addiction ranks within the top 10 most common addictions.  If a statewide lottery is allowed the state will have to deal with the severe and abundant social and financial problems that will necessarily come with it. Again, we believe the negatives far outweigh the revenue.