On Casino Gambling

Adopted by the CCAR at the 95th Annual Convention of
the Central Conference of American Rabbis
Grossingers, New York, June 18-21, 1984

Whereas the citizens of many states are often asked to amend their state constitutions to permit legalized casino gambling, and

Whereas casinos have proven themselves to be quite expert at generating revenues for themselves but quite incapable of seeing that such revenues benefit the surrounding community, and

Whereas , despite claims to the contrary, jobs created by the casino industry have not led to genuine economic revitalization of depressed areas, and

Whereas the establishment of casino gambling will probably lead to real estate speculation that will, in many of the proposed sites, have the destructive effect of driving the poor and the elderly from their homes and neighborhoods, and

Whereas American casino gambling facilities have brought tremendous increases in criminal activity wherever they have been established, and

Whereas the revenues generated by casinos have yet to find their way into law enforcement agencies in quantities sufficient to combat such activity, and

Whereas organized crime activities including, but not limited to, loan sharking and prostitution have gone hand in hand with the establishment of casino gambling facilities despite the best efforts of local governments to prevent their appearance, and

Whereas the promises of the casino industry in other areas, with respect to organized crime control, aid to education, the elderly, and minority population, and genuine economic revitalization remain largely unfulfilled.

Therefore be it resolved that the Central Conference of American Rabbis strongly disapprove of the legalization of any form of casino gambling and urge that its members work to make the dangers of legalized casino gambling become better known and to devote their best efforts towards the thwarting of legalized casino gambling in their states.

Be it further resolved that rabbis living in states that prohibit casino gambling be alert to the inherent problems, as stated above, should enabling legislation ever be proposed by their municipalities or states.