You didn’t miss a newsletter

No, you didn’t miss the October 1 newsletter; there wasn’t one.  Things have been fairly quiet here and I’ve taken a respite.

Not quiet in Maryland

Things aren’t quiet in Maryland, where the slots and horse racing people are spending millions to try to convince citizens of the wealthiest U.S. state that they need slot machines to fund education.  The argument has gotten old and sickening—the pro-slots people cast the debate as a choice between slots and a tax increase.  The teachers union, incredibly, is advocating for slot machines, while pastors across Maryland are preaching against them.  For more details, see http://projects.washingtonpost.com/staff/email/megan+greenwell/.

Other referendums are taking place in Ohio (the fourth attempt to legalize casinos there, I believe); in Maine, regarding a specific proposal for a second casino in that state (even the ski resorts have been vocal in opposition), in Missouri, seeking to repeal the loss limit of $500 every two hours; and in Colorado, seeking to raise the maximum bet at that state’s ghost-town casinos from $5 to $100.

Tough times in casinoland

Casinos have not been shielded from the recent economic turmoil.  Don Barden is reportedly about to lose his shirt.  Construction has come to a halt in Las Vegas, with unemployment at 7.1 percent and foreclosure rates high.  For more details on today’s casino economics:  http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7012676551

The battle shifts in Philadelphia

Backers of the proposed Foxwoods casino in Philadelphia have agreed to pursue a move from a riverfront site to one near Philly’s Chinatown neighborhood.  Unlike the people on Pittsburgh’s North Side, Chinatown isn’t sitting quietly.  A raucous town meeting took place last Thursday, October 9, with city councilman Frank DiCicco and State House Speaker Dennis O’Brien present.  When a Chinatown resident described how gambling had scarred her family and said she was scared that the same would happen to other families, DiCicco and O’Brien had quite compelling responses:

"I understand," DiCicco said. "You know why I understand? My father took his life because of a gambling addiction."

O'Brien said he, too, understood. "My father was a compulsive gambler. I know what it's like to go to bed hungry at night."

For more details:  http://www.planphilly.com/node/4068#

Too quiet here

I don’t have any presentation requests (except one for next April) pending or a flood of bumper sticker requests coming in.  If you like what No Dice is trying to do, please tell others as you have the opportunity.  If you have suggestions, they are always welcome.  Warning: if your suggestions are good enough, I might resign and ask if you’re willing to take over for me!

Thanks for your support.

--Bruce