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- Political Contributions -
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Participation In the Political Process |
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| The commercial casino
industry, like any other industry, participates in the political process
in a variety of ways, including donating money to candidates for
political office. According to a 1999 report by the Center for
Responsive Politics, the entire gaming industry—including Indian
casinos, pari-mutuel wagering and other related businesses—ranked 37th
among 92 industry and interest groups, well behind insurance, real
estate and securities, and others in total 1998 election contributions.
Restricting contributions would deny the commercial casino industry's large work |
force (300,000-plus) and stockholders (more than 1 million) the constitutional
right to participate in the political process. No legal industry should
be singled out and treated differently, because it would create a
slippery slope for elected officials to make other subjective judgments
about industries they don't like and attempt to silence them.
Denying this industry the right to participate in the democratic process will not enhance the already tight regulatory safeguards, nor is it in keeping with the traditions in this country that encourage political representation for everyone. |
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Political Promises: Atlantic City |
| In 1976, the citizens of New Jersey voted to legalize casino gambling in Atlantic City. It's instructive to compare the promises made during that campaign to the actual benefits seen in the state 25 years later. |
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Jobs |
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Promise: 33,690 new jobs in the state by 1985, including 24,600 in casino hotels |
Reality: 41,000 people directly employed by the casinos |
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Investments |
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| Promise: $844 million in new construction by 1985 | Reality: $3 billion in capital investments by casinos |
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Wages |
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| Promise: $330 million in new wages by 1985 | Reality: Annual payroll of $797 million |
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