GAMBLING BILLS MAKING THEIR WAY TO THE HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE

News Release from Hawaii Family Forum

Hawaii is among only three (3) states in the nation where all forms of gambling remain illegal. (Utah and Tennessee are the others). Proponents of legalized gambling in Hawaii boast of its promise of economic revitalization and prosperity. While there is an element of truth to their claims, greater scrutiny reveals a far different story.

The widespread proliferation of gambling on the mainland has produced very troubling consequences for the people and communities most closely associated with it. Those consequences include: increased violent crime, property crime, and drug-related crime; an increased influence of organized crime; increased addiction and family deterioration; a disproportionately adverse impact on youth and the poor; and, a net negative economic impact.

HB 2759 would allow gaming on Hawaiian homelands.  HB 146 proposes an amendment to the Hawaii Constitution to permit gambling in our island state.  The House Judiciary committee has scheduled a hearing on these bills for Tuesday, February 9, 2010 @ 2:30 p.m. in conference room 325.

Hawaii Family Forum and the Hawaii Catholic Conference strongly OPPOSES both bills.  There has been very little opposition on this issue so we really need your help.

We are asking you to contact members of the House Judiciary Committee and your own Representative to tell them that you don't want gambling in Hawaii.  (Click here to read more information about the dangers of gambling.)

Click here to read Bishop Larry Silva's statement on gambling.

Thank you for taking the time to let your voices be heard on these truly important issues.

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RELATED: Hawaii Coalition Against Legalized Gambling