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>> JUST A DECADE AGO, CASINOS
WERE CONFINED TO NEVADA AND NEW
JERSEY.
NOW 500 CASINOS OPERATE IN 23
STATES.
ALTON, ILLINOIS, FOR EXAMPLE,
WHERE CITY FATHERS SAY THIS
RIVERBOAT CASINO TURNED THE
CITY'S ECONOMY AROUND.■■
AND FOR MORE AND MORE ACROSS THE
COUNTRY, PEOPLE ARE SAYING,
"ENOUGH."
>> IT IS TUNEISTIC MILLIONAIRES
TRYING TO BECOME BILLIONAIRES AT
THE EXPENSE OF YOU, YOUR
NEIGHBOR
>> Safer: BETCHA NEVER THOUGHT
BIG-TIME GAMBLING WOULD BECOME
NOT ONLY LEGAL, BUT RESPECTABLE;
SO RESPECTABLE THAT IT'S NOT
EVEN CALLED GAMBLING ANYMORE.
IT'S "GAMING."
ONLY A DECADE AGO, IF CASINO
GAMBLING, OR GAMING, WAS YOUR
THING, YOU HAD TO FIND YOUR WAY
TO NEVADA OR NEW JERSEY.
TODAY, THERE ARE LEGAL CASINOS
IN 23 STATES, MANY OF THEM OWNED
BY CORPORATE GIANTS LIKE I.T.T.
AND HILTON, WHO RAKE IN MORE
THAN $17 BILLION A YEAR IN
PROFITS FROM THE 125 MILLION
GAMBLERS WHO ARE CROWDING
AMERICA'S BLACKJACK AND CRAPS
TABLES, ROULETTE WHEELS AND SLOT
MACHINES.
AND DON'T FOR A MOMENT THINK
THERE ISN'T SOMEONE, RIGHT NOW,
TRYING TO CONVINCE SOMEONE IN
YOUR TOWN THAT WHAT IT NEEDS TO
MAKE ENDS MEET IS A CASINO.
WHEN GAMBLING COMES A-KNOCKING,
IT SINGS A SIREN SONG OF JOBS,
TAX REVENUES, AND FAMILY
ENTERTAINMENT, AN APPARENT NO-
LOSE PROPOSITION.
BUT ALONG COMES REVEREND TOM
GREY TO SPOIL THE PARTY.
AS SPOKESMAN FOR THE NATIONAL
COALITION AGAINST LEGAL
GAMBLING, GREY IS OUT TO STOP
THE SPREAD OF CASINOS DEAD IN
ITS TRACKS.
>> Grey: THEY NEVER SAW US
COMING.
I MEAN, THEY HAD SUCH A FREE
RIDE.
THEY WERE INEVITABLE.
>> Safer: NOT ANYMORE.
EVERYWHERE HE GOES, GREY PROUDLY
DISPLAYS A MAP, SHOWING THE
ELECTION VICTORIES HIS SIDE HAS
WON.
OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS, 32
STATES HAVE SAID NO TO GAMBLING
EXPANSION, AND ONLY THREE HAVE
SAID YES.
>> Grey: AND IT WASN'T THAT WE
BEAT THEM WITH LAWYERS, AND IT
WASN'T WE BEAT THEM WITH
GOVERNORS, WE BEAT THEM AS
PEOPLE, BECAUSE WE SAID NO
PEOPLE, BECAUSE WE SAID NO MORE!
GOVERNMENT SHORTCHANGES US WHEN
THEY TELL US THAT THE ONLY WAY
WE CANAPPLE PIE.
WHY SHOULDN'T THE GOVERNMENT
TAKE ITS CUT?
>> Grey: BECAUSE IT COMPROMISES
THE GOVERNMENT.
NOW MAYBE THE MOB'S GOING TO DO
IT, MAYBE SOMEONE ELSE.
BUT TO HAVE GOVERNMENT ENTER
INTO THE CONTRACT IS
UNFORGIVABLE TO ME.
>> Safer: HE'S ON THE ROAD 280
DAYS A YEAR, WARNING COMMUNITIES
THAT GAMBLING IS NOT THE CURE-
ALL IT CLAIMS TO BE, THAT IT
BREEDS CRIME AND CORRUPTION AND
ADDICTION, AND FAILS TO DELIVER
REAL PROSPERITY.
HIS PULPIT: FREE TIME ON TALK
RADIO.
>> Announcer: JFBJ, WE'RE
TALKING GAMBLING TODAY.
TOM GREY IS HERE.
>> Grey: I'M HERE TO ORGANIZE
AND LIGHT FIRES FROM THE BOTTOM
UP WITH CITIZENS...
>> Safer: GREY REGARDS THIS
CRUSADE AS A PERSONAL WAR.
HE WAS ONCE COMMANDER OF A RIFLE
SQUAD IN VIETNAM, THEN RETURNED
HOME TO BECOME A METHODIST
MINISTER, AND SETTLED IN THE
LITTLE TOWN OF GALENA, ILLINOIS.
BUT IN 1992, THE COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS INVITED A
RIVERBOAT CASINO TO MOVE IN,
DESPITE THE FACT THAT 80% OF THE
TOWN REJECTED IT IN A NON-
BINDING VOTE.
>> Safer: ANGRY ENOUGH TO LEAD A
BOYCOTT THAT TURNED THE CASINO
INTO A FLOATING DISASTER.
BUSINESS WAS SO BAD THAT THE
ILLINOIS GAMING BOARD DID THE
UNTHINKABLE: IT CLOSED THE BOAT
DOWN BECAUSE IT COULDN'T PAY ITS
BILLS.
BUT JUST DOWNRIVER, IN ALTON,
ILLINOIS, BUSINESS IS
>> Sandidge: IF PEOPLE WANT TO
GAMBLE, THEY'RE GOING TO GAMBLE.
WE MIGHT AS WELL TAKE ADVANTAGE
OF IT.
>> Grey: IS THIS WHAT WE'VE COME
TO, WHERE WE'RE GOING TO PUT A
CASINO AND SAY, "THIS IS WHAT
WILL ENTERTAIN YOU, THIS IS WHAT
WILL BRING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT,
AND THIS IS HOW WE WILL PAY OUR
TAXES?"
>> Safer: WHAT'S WRONG WITH
THAT?
>> Grey: A GOVERNMENT THAT
CANNIBALIZES ITS OWN CITIZENS IS
A GOVERNMENT YOU'VE GOT TO GET
RID OF.
IT MAKES LOSERS OF PEOPLE.
>> Safer: SO GREY FIGHTS BACK.
LET CITIZENS DECIDE AT THE
BALLOT BOX IF THEY WANT
GAMBLING.
LIKE IN PITTSBURG, CALIFORNIA, A
TOWN OF 50,000 NEAR SAN
FRANCISCO, WHERE THE CITY BRASS
PUSHED FOR A CASINO TO BE BUILT
BY A DEVELOPER, SMACK IN THE
MIDDLE OF A SUBURBAN COMMUNITY.
WHEN THE NEIGHBORHOOD CALLED FOR
HELP, GREY, THE LONE RANGER,
RODE TO THE RESCUE.
>> Grey: YOU, AS CITIZENS NOW,
HAVE GOT THE FUTURE OF YOUR
COMMUNITY IN YOUR HANDS.
>> Safer: HE HAS AN UNLIKELY
TONTO, A FORMER MEMBER OF THE
CHICAGO MOB, WHO GOES BY THE
ALIAS B.J. JAHODA, WHO TURNED ON
THE MOB AND BECAME A STAR
WITNESS FOR GOVERNMENT
PROSECUTORS.
NOW, HE TESTIFIES FOR GREY
AGAINST LEGAL CASINOS.
>> B.J. Jahoda: REMEMBER,
ORGANIZED GAMBLING IS GENERALLY
THIS: IT IS OPPORTUNISTIC
MILLIONAIRES TRYING TO BECOME
BILLIONAIRES, AT THE EXPENSE OF
YOU, YOUR NEIGHBORS, AND YOUR
FAMILY.
THEY'RE... THEY'RE... THEY'RE
RUTHLESS.
>> Safer: RUTHLESS-- AS RUTHLESS
AS THE MOB?
>> Jahoda: IN... IN... IN MANY
CASES, I THINK THEY'RE MORE
RUTHLESS, BECAUSE THE MOB
GENERALLY ONLY TARGETS, KEEP IN
MIND, THE SUCCESSFUL, THE
PROSPEROUS, THE INFLUENTIAL.
THE CASINO OPERATORS GO AFTER
EVERYBODY.
NOBODY GETS A PASS.
>> Safer: NOT EVERYONE IN
PITTSBURG, CALIFORNIA, SAW IT
THAT WAY.
>> Man: THAT CASINO WOULD BE THE
GREATEST THING THAT EVER
HAPPENED.
>> IT'S GONEM THIS-
TOHIS --
>> IF YOU HAVE COMPUR
AND CRIT CARD, YOU CAN GET
STTED WI0 MITES
AND 15 MUTES.
AND YOU CAN WAGERIN
WIOUT ER HAVING TO LEAVE
YOUR HOU.
TRE BNG ON RNING
E COUT
INTO A CASIN
TECHNOLOGY IS GOING TO BE, THERE
YOU ARE GOING TO FIND GAMBLING.
>> MAKE YOUR BET, PLEASE.
>> BUT WHO MES THE RULES?
>> THEY DON'T HAVE TO TELL
YOU WHAT THE ODDS ARE.
THEY DON'T HAVE TO TELL
YOU WHETHER YOU REALLY WON
THEY DON'T HAVE TO PAY OFF
OU DN.
E'S RALL PROTECTION.
>> TONIGHTBEIN
WITHOUT BOARDERS.
WHATRE THE ODDS OF SPPING
GAMBLING ON E INTERNET?
CAPTIONS PAID FOR BY THE U. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND ABC, INC.
>> LASAR, 330,000 AMERICAN
CONSUMERS FILED FOR NKRUPTCY,
EREBY ELIMINATING
ABOUT $40 BILLION IN PERSONAL
DEBT
AT'S OF SOME RELEVANCE TO ALL
OF UBECAUSE THAT $40 BILLION
BTOESN'T JUST DIPPEA
IT'S REDISTRIBUTED AMONG
THREST OF USN THE FORM
OF INCREASED PRICES ON CMER
THE SUBJT OF ANOTHER
"NIGHTLINE" SOMEWHERE DOWN
I RAISE THAT $40ILLION
WITHOU THIEVEN
CAUSE OF A NEW AND GROWING
TRENTHAT IGOING TO INCREASE
E LEVEOF UNPD DEBTS
IN THIS COUNTRY.
WHATOULD HAPPEN IF EVERYONE
WITH ACCESS TO THE INTERNET
COULD, IN E CONVENIENCE
OF THEIR OWN HOMES OR OFFICES,
LOG ON TO CYBERSPACE CASINO?
WHATF YOU COULD PLACE A BET
ON A HORSE RACE OR A BKETBALL
GAME, WHAT IF YOCOULD PLAY
K JACK OR ROULETTE BY WAY
OF YOUR WORD PROCESSOR?
WE, YOU CAN.
NOT ONLY IS TERN GAMBLING
ALREADY POSSIBLE, ALREADY
A MODEST THRIVING INSTRY, IT
PROMISES TO BECOME HUGE.
AND EVEN IF, WHEREVER YOU HAPPEN
LIVE, GAMBLING IS ILL, IT
IS N AT ALL CLEAR TH YOU A
BREAKING THE LAW BY PLACING
AN INTERNET WAGER IN SOME OTHER
LOCATION WHERE IIS PERCTLY
LEGA
IFNYTHING PRISES TO INSE
THE LEVEL OF PSONAL DEBT
IN THIS COUNTRY, EXPANDING
ACCESS TO GAMBLING SHOULD DO IT.
HERE'S MORIN ABC'S TECHNOLOGY
CORRESPOENT, GINA SMH.
Reporter: TOM KASPROVICH IS
A 20-YEAOLD COLLEGE STT
AND A RECREATIONAL GAMBLER.
>> IT'S FUN.
IT'S EXCITING.
I AN, IT INVOLS RISKS.
T IT'SLSPRETTY ENJABLE
WHEN YOU WIN.
>> Reporter: USETO BE, IF TO
WANTED TO WAGER ON A SPORTING
EVOR PLAY A CASINO GAME,
HE HAD TTRAVELO A ACE LIKE
LAS VEGAS OR TAKE HIS CHANCES
WITH LOCAL ***.
BUT NOW, HE'S STAYING ATOME.
AND TEING UP OVER
THE INRNET
>> ACTLLY,Y FIRST
WE TT I PLED.
I N ,0.
Reporr: THERERE NOW
ESTIMATED40 GAMBLING SITES
YWHEREN THE RLD TO PLACE
EIR TSN DIGITAL VERSIONS
OF CASINO GAME LIKBLACKJAC
ROULETTE AND SLOTS, OR ON SPORTS
AND LOTTERS.
>> IF YOU HAVE A COMPUTER
AND A CREDIT CARD, YOU C G
STARD WIIN 10 MINUTES
AN15 MINUTES.
AND U CAN WAGERING
WIOUT EVERAVIN LEA
UROUSE.
>> AREDI
CAGAMB OPEN UP
AN ANTH NTERNET
NDIN HOW THE CHIPS FALL,
THCCOUNTS CREDITED
OR DEBITED DURING EACH GING
ION.>> Reporter: TWO YEARSGO,
INRNET GBLINWA
A 0 MIN BUSINESS.
LAST YEAR, IT GREW
AND ME BELVEHAT.
BY THE YEAR 2000 THAT FIGURE
WI BE BILLION.
THAT ABOUTHAT DONALD'S
MAKES IN SALES ANNUALLY.
>> ONCE YOU GO TO INTERNET
GAMBLING, YOU'VE MAXIMIZED
THE SPEED.
YOU' MAXIMIZED THE
ACCEPTABILITY D
THACCESSIBITY.
IT'S GOING TO BE IN YOUR FAC
MBLING, WHICH IS GOING TO HAVE
VE DETRINTAL EECTS
ON STY.
IT'S LIKE THE CRACK ***
GAMBLERS.W PHOLOGICAL
>> Reporter: THE PROFESSOR
INDICATES THAT AS MANY AS 6% OF
THOSE WHO GAMBLE WILL BECOM
PROBLEMS GAMBLERS OR ADDICTED
AND A NUMBER OF THOSE WILL TURN
TO CRI OR GOANKRUPT.
>> IF PEOPLE HAVE TO TRAVEL
TO LAS VEGAS TO GALE,
OR IF THEY HAVE TO TRAVE
100 MILES TO GAMBLE, THAT'S
A TERRENT FACTOR
THERE'S A SAFETY BRIDGE THERE.
BUT WHEN PEOPLE HAVE GAMBLING
RIGHT IN THEIR HOMES, THERE IS
NO SAFETY FACTOR.
>> Reporter: THAT'S ONE
OFHE REASONS SOME MBERS
OF CONGRESS ARE DETERMINED
TO PUT THEKES INTERNET
GAMBLING
>> A HARVARD PROFESSOR WHO
RECENTLY DONE A STUDY CONCLUDED
AT WITHIN TEN YEARS, THAT
GAMBLING WITH YOUTH WILL BE
A BIGGER PROBLEM TO SOCIETY THAN
DRUG ABUSE WILL BE.
SO YOU'VE GOT THE ADDICTIV
QUALITY OF GAMBLING EXACERBATED
BY THE EASE WITH WHICH IT CAN BE
DONE ON THE INTERNET, COUPLED
WITH THE INCREASING GAMBLING
ON SPORTEVENTS, AND YOU'VE GOT
A VERY VOLATILE SITUATION.
>>ter: KYL ALSO WORRIES
ABOUT THE FANESS OTHE GAMES,
THOUGH HE ACKNOWDGES THAT,
SO FAR, REPORTS OF RIP-OFFS HAVE
BEEN FEW AND FARWEEN.
THEY DON'T HAVE TO TELL
YOU WHAT THE ODDS AR
THEY DON'T HAVE TO TELL
YOU WHETHER YOU REALLY WON
OR LOST.
THEY DON'T HAVE TO PAY O
IF YOU WIN.
THERE'S LITERALL PROTEION.
>> Reporr: CURRENTLY, THERE
ARE NO LS THPECIFICALLY
BAN CASINO GAMES OR SPORTS
WARING OVER THE INTERNET.
BUT, SAYING THE INTERNET WILL
NOT BE A SANCTUARY FOR ILLEGAL
BETTING, FEDERAL OFFICIALS
RECENTLY FILED CHARGES ANYWAY
AGAINST EIGHT SPORTS WAGERI
COMPANIES.
TO DO SO, THEY USEAN OLD LAW
INTEND TO ET BKMAKER
WHO ERATE ELEPHONE.
BUT IT ISN'T CLEAR WHETHER
THE LAW IS ENOUGH TO GET
NVICTIONS IN THOSE CASES.
TO FILL THE VOID, SENATOR KYL
HAS DRAFTED THE INTERNET
GAMBLING PROHIBITION ACT.
WE'RE SAYING THAT,
AS TECHNOLOGY EVOLVES, IT'S NOW
POSSIBLE TO VIATE THLAW
USING MES THAT WEREN'T
ANTICIPATED BACK IN THE 1960s.
THE INTERNET WAST EVEN DREAMED
OF THEN, THE ACTIVITY'S
THE ME.
>>eporter: BUT PASSING A LAW
IS ONE THING.
ENFORCING IT IS ANOTHER.
EVEN KYLDMITS IT'S VIRTUALLY
IMPOSSIBLE FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT
TO GO AFTER DIVIDUALETTORS,
AND IT MAY BE JUST AS HARD
TO PROSECUTE IERT CANO
OPERATORS EN THE GAME
ON THE COMPUTER SCREEN
IN AMERICA MIGHT BE COMING
FROM AN ISLAND IN THE CARIBBEAN.
>> CAN I COMMIT AN AMERICAN
CRIME BY GAMBLING AT A VIRTUAL
CASINO WHEN A COUTER IS HOSTED
IN ONE COUNTRY OUTSIDE
THE UNITED STATES?
MY MSAGE GOES THROUGH THE FIVE
STATES ON THE WAY TO LEAVING
THE UNITED STATES AND THEN GOES
THROUGH THREE COUNTRIES
AND LANDS IN ANTIGUA?
I MEAN, WHOSE LAW DID I VIOLATE?
>> IN A MOMENT, GOING OFFSHORE,
VISITING THE BEACHHEAD
OF INTERNET GAMBLING.
>> Reporter: THE TINY ISLAND
NATION OF ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA IS
JUST OFF THE COAST OF SOUTH
AMERICA.
IT'S AS WELL KNOWN FOR ITS LOOSE
TAX AND BANKING LAWS AS IT IS
FOR ITS 365 WHITE SAND BEACHES.
LONG A PREFERRED LOCATION
FOR BUSINESSES SEEKING
A SECLUDED, OFFSHORE HAVEN,
THE ISLAND IS ALSO A FAVORITE
LOCATION FOR INTERNET CASINOS.
>> THEY HAVE TO GO OFFSHORE
BECAUSE THESE ACTIVITIES
THEY COULD NOT CONDUCT WITHIN
ANY STATE IN THE UNITED STATES.
AND THEY HAVE FOUND
A JURISDICTION THAT CONDONES
THOSE ACTIVITIES AND MAKES IT
LEGAL FOR THEM TO DO IT.
>> Reporter: MARK DOHLEN'S
INTERNET CASINO IS BASED
IN ANTIGUA, ONE OF THE FEW
LICENSED ON THE ISLAND THAT
DOESN'T TAKE AMERICAN BETS
FOR FEAR OF U.S. LEGAL ACTION.
>> I THINK THAT THE ANTIGUAN
GOVERNMENT FEELS THAT THEY ARE
A SOVEREIGN NATION AND THEY HAVE
THE POWER TO DRAFT LAWS
AND ENFORCE THEM IN
THEIR COUNTRY, BASED ON HOW
THEY WANT TO RUN THEIR COUNTRY.
AND THEY HAVE DECIDED TO ISSUE
LICENSES TO CONDUCT THIS TYPE
BUSINESS, AND THAT IS
THE JURISDICTION IN WHICH
THEY WILL BE HELD
ACCOUNTABLE TO.
>> Reporter: THOUGH DOHLEN'S
OPERATION IS CONSIDERED
REPRESENTABLE, THE TYPE
OF BUSINESS ANTIGUA HAS LICENSED
OVER YEARS HAVE OFTEN RAISED EYE
BROWS.
IT WAS FROM A BASE IN ANTIGUA
THAT THE WORLD'S FIRST INTERNET
BANK BILKED TENS OF MILLIONS
OF DOLLARS FROM CUSTOMERS.
AND LAST YEAR, A U.S. STATE
DEPARTMENT REPORT CITED
ANTIGUA'S INTERNET BANKING
AND CASINO INDUSTRIES AS --
"ALL WITH A SIMILAR LACK
OF EFFECTIVE REGULATION."
GYNETH McALLISTER'S CARD READS,
"EXPEDITER OF INTERNATIONAL
INVESTMENT."
THE GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL SAYS
SHE'S RECEIVED HUNDREDS
OF INQUIRIES FROM INTERNET
CASINO OPERATORS LOOKING TO OPEN
UP SHOP.
>> WHEN THE INDUSTRY CAME HERE,
YOU HAVE TO REALIZE WE DID HAVE
AND DO HAVE LEGISLATION
LING.
A HUGE NEW CASINO HAS ENED
UP JUST OVER THE BORDER
OF THE CANADIAN SIDE
OF THE NIAGARA FALLS,
WHERE NEW YORK MEETS
ONO.
CANADIAN OFFICIALS EXPECTED
TO MAKHALF A MILLION
DOLLARS A YEAR.
RESIDENTS ON THE AMERICAN
SIDE SAY A LOT OF THAT'LL BE
TOURIST DOLLARS FROM
THE U.S. THAT OTHERWISE
WOULD HAVE BEEN SPENT HERE.
>>> THERE'S A DIFFERENT
CONCERN ABOUT GAMBLING.
IN COUNCIL BLUFFS,
IOWA, CONCERN ABOUMAKING
IT TOO EASY.
HERE'S ABC'S RON CLANE.
>>> THIS IOWA CASINO HAS GOT
IT ALL -- SLOT MACHINES --
21 --
>> GOOD LUCK TO YOU.
>> CRAPS --
>> NUMBER 11.
>> AND CHILD CARE.
THAT'S RIGHT, A CHILD CARE
CENTER AT A GAMBLING CASINO.
>> AND WE'RE GOING TO DO
THE HOKEY-POKEY.
>> EVERY WEEK, HUNDREDS
OF CHILDREN ARE BROUGHT
TO THE AMERISTAR CASINO'S
KIDSQUEST CHILDCARE CENTER
BY THEIR PARENTS --
>> I'LL BE BACK IN ABOUT
AN HOUR, HOUR AND A HALF.
>> WHO THEN HEAD UPSTAIRS
TO GAMBLE.
FOR $3 AN HOUR, LICENSED
CHILD CARE WORKERS WATCH
OVER KIDS AS THEY PLAY
IN A RUMPUS ROOM CHOCKED
FULL OF TOYS AND GAMES.
IN THE CASINO A FEW NDRED
FEET AWAY, THEIR PARENTS
PLAY THEIR OWN GAMES.
>> YAY!
>> ALL RIGHT!
>> I DIDN'T EXPECT IT TO BE
THIS NICE, YOU KNOW?
BEING IN A CASINO.
>> WELL IF YOU CAN HAVE
CHILDREN SUPERVISED IN A FUN
ENVIRONMENT WHILE
THEIR PARENTS ARE OFF DOING
SOMETHING ELSE, THAT'S
GREAT.
NOT EVERYONE THINKS A CHILD
CARE FACILITY NEXT TO A GAMG
HALL IS SO GREAT.
IOWA STATE SENATOR JIM LIND
CALLS IT AN OUTRAGE.
>> WE DON'T HAVE CHILD CARE
FACILITIES NEXT TO A STRIP
BAR.
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?
WE'RE OBJECTING MINORS IN AN
INDUSTRY THEY SHOULDN'T HAVE
NOTHING TO DO WITH.
>> OTHERS SUGGEST BY MAKING
IT EASIER TO GAMBLE, CASINO
DAY CARE WILL LEAD TO MORE
PROBLEM GAMBLE AND SOME DAY
PROBLEMS FOR THEIR CHILDREN
TOO.
JOHN KINDT IS STUDYING THE
EFFECTS OF LEGALIZED
GAMBLING.
>> WHAT YOU'RE GOING IS
MAXIMIZING THE ACCEPTABILITY
FACTOR.
A WHOLE NEW GENERATION IS
BEING GROOMED TO BECOME
GAMBLERS.
>> THE PEOPLE WHO RUN THIS
AND 10 OTHER KID QUEST SAY
NO IF A COMMUNITY SAID NO IT
WAS FINE BY ME
AND THIS IS JUST ANOTHER STEP
IN MAKING SURE THAT THE PUBLIC
HAS TOTAL SAY ON WHAT HAPPENS
IN THEIR COMMUNITY"
>>BILL TRBOVICH
(QUEENS PARK)
"THE KEY POINT IN THIS
ANNOUNCEMENT IS THE TIMING, NO
>> Safer: WITH PASSIONS RUNNING
HIGH, THERE WAS A PACKED HOUSE
FOR A DEBATE HELD AT THE LOCAL
COMMUNITY COLLEGE.
PITTSBURG'S POLICE DEPARTMENT
ACTUALLY WANTED THE CASINO,
SINCE IT WOULD REQUIRE HIRING
MORE POLICE AND A NEW FLEET OF
CARS.
>> Cop: THIS IS WHAT THE POLICE
ARE LOOKING AT.
WE'RE LOOKING AT THE SAFETY OF
OURSELVES, OF THE COMMUNITY, OUR
FAMILIES.
AND THIS WILL ENABLE THE
DEPARTMENT, IN THE LONG TERM, TO
STAFF THOSE OFFICERS, AND THAT
EQUIPMENT.
>> Grey: CONVERSELY, IF WE'RE
NOT TO... TO... NEGATIVELY
IMPACT YOUR JOB, ARE WE TO GROW
MORE POLICE?
IS THAT THE AMERICAN DREAM?
YOU BRING SOMETHING IN THAT
CREATES CRIME, AND THEN WE HIRE
MORE OFFICERS?
>> Safer: AND GREY WAS NOT
IMPRESSED WHEN THE MAN BEHIND
THE CASINO, DEVELOPER ALBERT
SEENO, SAID HIS PLAN WOULD BRING
MORE THAN 500 JOBS TO PITTSBURG,
AND GENERATE MILLIONS FOR THE
CITY TREASURY.
>> Grey: MR. SEENO, I HEARD THE
MILLIONS THERE.
THE CITY GETS THAT.
WHAT DO YOU GET?
>> Albert Seeno: THERE'S A
PROFIT MARGIN, JUST LIKE THE
GROCERY STORE.
>> Grey: WELL, GROCERY STORES
ARE 1% TO 2%.
CASINOS IN ILLINOIS ARE MAKING
20% TO 30% PROFIT FOR THE
OWNERS.
CAN YOU PUT YOURSELF BETWEEN ONE
AND 2% AND 30%?
>> Seeno: NOPE.
BUT I WOULD BE HAPPY WITH THE...
SOME TYPE OF A FAIR RETURN ON
INVESTMENT.
AND I CAN'T TELL YOU WHAT IT IS,
BECAUSE...
>> Grey: WELL, IN THE MIDWEST,
WE CALL THEM CASH COWS, AND THE
OWNERS HAVE THEM.
>> Safer: AND THIS IS THE
BIGGEST CASH COW OF ALL, THE
SLOT MACHINE: ON THE JOB 24
HOURS A DAY, NO SALARY, NO
BENEFITS.
HE IS THE LICENSE TO PRINT
MONEY.
AT FOXWOODS CASINO IN
CONNECTICUT, THE PROFIT FROM THE
SLOTS ALONE IS MORE THAN A
MILLION DOLLARS A DAY.
THAT'S JUST FROM THE SLOT