A leading critic of the gambling industry in Iowa isn’t optimistic about the referendums on gambling coming up this fall. Residents in all ten Iowa counties with a riverboat or racetrack casinos will vote on whether to continue gambling in their communities. The vice president of the “Truth About Gambling Foundation”, Tom Coates, says with the money and influence the casinos wield — it is unrealistic to think gambling opponents can win.He says the river communities view non-Iowans as foreign nationals, making it okay to “pluck their pockets.” He says the only place where there might be a chance is in places like Polk County, away from the borders. Coates admits the money the casinos give to charity might make voters afraid to vote against them. But he says the gambling revenue is offset by its costs.He says a University of Illinois study shows for every dollar in gambling revenue from a place like Prairie Meadows in Altoona, the state has to pay one-point-nine dollars in social costs. He says credit card debt, bankruptcies and broken families are all part of the social costs. Wes Ehrecke is on the other side of the issue as the executive director of the Iowa Gaming Association.He says the business and civic leaders of the gambling communities have seen the casinos be a catalyst for economic development and have benefited from the 60 million dollars annually they give to charity. Ehrecke says most Iowans see gambling as a viable form of entertainment.Ehrecke says the casinos provide 10-thousand jobs for the state. He predicts the referendums will pass in each county. Ehrecke and Coates made their comments today during taping of the Iowa Public TV program “Iowa Press.”
