(ABP) — Voters defeated most attempts to expand gambling in five states Nov. 2, which opponents say continues a trend to rein in gambling expansion nationwide.
Only in Oklahoma, where voters approved a state-run lottery, could gambling proponents claim clear-cut victory on election day. Approval of Oklahoma's lottery, by a 65-to-35 percent margin, leaves only nine states without one.
Various gambling measures — mostly related to casinos and slot machines — were defeated in California, Nebraska, Washington and perhaps Florida, where a ballot measure is likely headed for a recount. Michigan residents, meanwhile, OK'd a constitutional amendment to require voter approval for any future expansion of gambling.
Gambling opponents, including many Christian groups, were generally pleased with the election-day results. Several said the high turnout of “moral values” voters in the presidential election swelled opposition to gambling.
“I'm feeling good. It was a good day for the home team,” said Thomas Grey, a Methodist minister and executive director of the National Council Against Legalized Gambling, which is based in Washington, D.C.
Baptist activist Suzii Paynter of Austin, Texas, said the national trend, according to exit polls, is that many people voted on the basis of moral convictions. “That is very positive for the containment of state-sponsored gambling,” said Paynter, director of public policy for the Texas Baptist Christian Life Commission. That demonstrates voters will stand up against well-funded gambling lobbies that argue gaming is in the financial interest of the public.
Proponents argued gambling expansion would funnel money and jobs into local economies. “The argument was jobs, jobs, jobs and a painless revenue stream,” Grey said. But, he added, voters showed again they will vote against their own financial interest if they understand the stakes. He said voters are catching on to the fact that gambling causes more social problems — and therefore more social costs — than can be offset with tax revenues and jobs.
“The social-morality argument that we've used — that gambling is not good for public life — rather than personal morality has been our strength and it has allowed us to win,” he said. Arguing that gambling is bad for society, not just individuals, draws support from both liberals and conservatives, he said.
Among the ballot measures decided Nov. 2.:
— In California, voters defeated two initiatives — one to expand slot machines and Native American casinos and another to remove some restrictions from Native American gambling facilities. Each lost by a margin greater than three to one.
— Nebraska voters defeated three separate measures that would have expanded casinos, slot machines and other games of chance in parts of the state. One also was related to Indian tribes. The votes were closer than in California, however. One initiative was defeated 51-to-49 percent.
— In Washington state, voters turned back a measure to reduce property taxes by authorizing scratch-off games of chance equal in number to those operated by Native American tribes. The vote margin was 61-to-39 percent.
— In Michigan, the constitutional amendment to require voter approval of any proposed gambling expansion won 59-to-41 percent. But the measure does not apply to Native American gambling facilities.
— In Florida, voting was extremely close on a constitutional amendment to let residents of two South Florida counties decide if they want to add slot machines to seven existing gambling facilities such as horse- and dog-racing tracks. The statewide measure, which affected facilities only in Miami-Dade and Broward counties, was billed by proponents as a revenue source for education statewide. As of Nov. 4, the amendment had collected 3,496,888 votes in favor and 3,491,020 opposed — 50.04 percent to 49.96 percent — with 99 percent of the vote counted. Florida law likely will dictate a recount.
Paynter, the Texas Baptist activist, said the connection between gambling interests and Native American tribes is an increasing factor nationwide.
“There has been a real turning point in the use of Indian gaming as a front for huge gambling expansion … and corruption,” Paynter said.
Many laws limiting gambling do not apply on Indian lands, prompting many tribes to get involved in the business. Additionally, Paynter said, the tribes are not subject to recent campaign-finance reforms. So spending to promote gambling initiatives has mushroomed.
“It is much harder to fight a ballot measure because casinos will put 30 or 40 million dollars into ballot measures,” she said. Blocking normal legislation is easier than voting down ballot measures, she said. “Usually legislators will not die on their swords for a casino.”
Both Paynter and Grey say grass-roots opposition — usually including Christian groups — has been the key to defeating the well-funded gambling lobbies. Grey said opponents won 43 out of 46 gambling votes nationwide in 2003.
“When people get organized and get informed, they can stop gambling measures,” Paynter added.