SEARCH NEWS:

 

Catholic Church Balks At Kentucky Casinos

"`We have no moral problems with gambling,' said Jane Chiles, executive director of the Catholic Conference of Kentucky, the public policy arm of the four Roman Catholic bishops in the state. And, `We aren't worried about the competition.'

"Area Catholic leaders do think there's a far cry between charity bingo games raising money for churches or schools, however, and a casino or racetrack slot machine that would raise money for a corporation.

"….'Idon't think it's immoral to go to a casino,' [Rev. John Vaughan, pastor at St. Stephen Cathedral] said. `But, personally, I don't think it's going to bring all the benefits people say it is. All the things that glitter are not gold.'

"…Expanding gambling opportunities in the state won't be a dependable source of income for state government and would be `very costly to Kentuckians,' Chiles said.

"…Charitable gaming -- bingo, raffles or combinations of other games run by charities and non-profit groups -- accounts for about one-third of the money legally wagered in Kentucky each year, state officials said. The Kentucky Lottery and the state's thoroughbred racetracks split the other two-thirds.

"Of 770 licensed charitable gaming operators in the state, about 225 are linked to the Catholic Church, said Scott Jones, general counsel of the state Department of Charitable Gaming. That's the largest single group of charitable gaming operators in the state, he said.

"…Charitable games grossed $584 million in Kentucky in 2000, and officials think that number will be $604 million when reports for 2001 are in, Jones said.

"The charities pay out about 85 percent of their gross in prizes, he said. After expenses, that left them with $46.2 million in 2000 for charitable work.

"…Catholic leaders argue the gambling options under consideration by the state legislature involve much higher stakes, including a social cost, such as increases in bankruptcies, mental health problems, domestic violence or suicide…"

< Gaming News