Gambling opponents admit big job ahead in changing the state

Opponents of gambling admit an uphill fight’s ahead as gambling referendums will be held in 2002 in counties which have casinos and/or tracks. “Truth About Gambling” vice president Tom Coates says only 30 percent of Iowans have never entered a casino, but he’s hoping the religious community rises up to build a tide against gambling.Coates says gambling has led to great “social ills.”He says 19 percent of all bankruptcies in Iowa are caused by the weight of gambling debts. And Coates says the availability of gambling in Iowa has increased the number of Iowans who are hooked.Iowa Gaming Association executive director Wes Ehrecke says legalized gambling has been a success story in Iowa. Ehrecke says the gambling industry has created 10-thousand jobs in Iowa and given a shot in the arm to the tourism industry.Ehrecke says gambling boats and racetracks have helped depressed areas of Iowa rebound economically.Ehrecke and Coates made their comments Friday during taping of the Iowa Public T-V show “Iowa Press,” which airs Sunday.