Just want Iowan's opinions on the apparent ban on touch play

[Bluzmann57]

machines. I'm torn, I really think that there are more important things for the legilature to worry about, such as education and taxing retiree's pensions. But do we really want Iowa to be known for being a gambling mecca? And those machines are all over the place. Taverns, convenience stores, even at a well known grocery chain based in Iowa. In my opinion, if they are in adult establishments, where minors can't get to them, what's the harm? Please note that I rarely gamble myself simply because I don't have the money. I figure that I can walk across the bridge and throw my money into the river and have the same effect. But I am also not opposed to gambling. If that's what a person wants to do, then let 'em do it, as long as there is no addiction involved.

[IA_Seth]

1. I am biased as hell, but...

I hate the damn things. They are slot machines, pure and simple. Sure they give you a ticket, but how is that different than some casinos using their own coins that you have to cash in.

My mom is addicted to gambling. Addicted to the point of gambling away her entire check, to the point of borrowing money to try to catch back up, only to fail. Her game is the slots. It's sad because she has sought help and it has done nothing. She has banned herself from the casinos but how can she ban herself from the corner store, the gas stations, etc? Some of the local stores have seperate roped off areas with 5-6 machines...how is that not a casino?

I am very pleased with the legislation, and I hope Vilsack signs it as soon as possible.

[Debi]

2. To you and your mom, Seth

:hug:

[progressoid]

5. Yep - my thoughts too

If you have ever been to South Dakota, you've seen that trashy slots in the corner of the gas station look. We don't need it here. It reeks of desperation.

Not to mention the problem it poses for those addicted to gambling.

It was a bad idea from the start.

[Hobarticus]

10. Here's to your mother, Seth...

Hope she's doing better with this.

[Debi]

3. I'm torn as well

I don't think the machines ever belonged in grocery stores and gas stations. They belong in casinos or maybe in bars. So I'll be glad to see them go.

However, I have some sympathy for the store owners who received permission from the Iowa Legislature and made an investment (and started making money)and are now being told, "Just kidding", from the very people who told them it was okay a short time ago. That's just bull.

Mostly I'm disappointed in the Legislators who voted for the machines and who now have voted for the ban. Oh my, they were for the machines before they were against them x(. Yeah, THAT won't come up this fall :eyes:

I only put $2.00 in the machines (my husband $1.00 and me $1.00) and that's all of my money that will ever go in. I'm lucky I can make that choice - there are too many people in this state who can't.

[rurallib]

4. I think that the legislature took the coward's way out and

are very disingenuous. There are many business owners and others who just got royally screwed by them after investing in something that was legalized.
I do not favor gambling and have a great deal of sympathy for those who are addicted to it. It is a very addicting habit --- but so are alcohol and cigarettes etc. And it is not like the legislature took a great stand against gambling. They are so addicted to gambling money they will soon be authorizing some other creepy way to fleece the populace.
My idiot legislator email me and asked what I thought. I think that much like alcohol and cigs, there should be some controls placed on those things so that the store owner can control who plays, maybe a list of addicts generated somehow to keep them from playing. I don't have all the answers but I will guarantee one thing - just like prohibition and abortion bans people will continue this behavior whether the state outlaws it or not.
Sorry to run on. I just get so tired of lawmakers always running for cover. And while this takes the headlines I can bet that several people in Iowa died because of inadequate health insurance, that some promising student had to drop college because of tuition costs, that some elderly person will have their heat shut off due to lack of payment and on and on.

[rurallib]

6. Let me add another thing - GOP gets big bucks from gaming

industry and the "gaming" industry (jesus what nice name for such a sleazy group) wanted those touch play machines shut down ASAP because the touch-plays were cutting into the big boys' profits.
So once again the RW claims moral issues, yet when we look below the surface it's the same old sleaze.
House Speaker Christopher Rants(sleazy - Sioux City) asked his brethren to stay home and take calls on the touch-play issue last weekend. And Rants, what did he do? He went golfing. In Myrtle Beach. That's in South Carolina. With a lobbyist from the "gaming" industry. And the next week the "gaming" industry gets a big wish granted.
Rants says he paid his own way. I believe him. <<wink, wink>> And Rants said that the legislation was never discussed over the weekend. I believe him <<wink, wink>>
I mean the GOP and its leaders are all about honesty, integrity and morality. <<wink, wink>>
(sorry no links - heard this story on WSUI yesterday I believe)

[CornField]

7. I'm happy to know that I'm not the only Iowan who thought the same thing

You all know that I don't like the machines in the convenience stores or the grocery stores. (Actually, I wouldn't care much if they were kept in venues which were only for adults.) I hate it when I see an adult lifting a child up to push the buttons or insert the money. UGH!

I agree with you, rurallib, I think this is yet another case of the GOP finding some moral high road to cover up their true reason for doing something.

[Debi]

8. Don't need links, it was all over the DMR and W/CF Courier

Don't forget Ms. Geri Huser was the lone D to attend the 'junket' :eyes:

[Hobarticus]

9. Gambling is a disease and this is like a heroin dispenser on every corner

I have no problems with gambling, but I believe over-the-top gambling is a disease like any other addiction, and it should be treated as such.

Using that logic, allowing these machines is like putting a bag of heroin on every street corner when you have a town full of junkies, or free beer Fridays at the gas station with a town full of alcoholics. The temptation is everywhere, and it's unfair.

The casino in our town has the names and faces of troubled gamblers who've asked to be barred from the casino...but there is NO such set-up for the machine at the corner store. Even if the state could bar these people that it has identified as problem gamblers from playing, which they can't, there's no way for the state to bar people from the stores. And do you really think that the corner store owner and his clerks would really bar anyone, if they were told to?

Our friend owns a bar and he says he's made his money back already, and then some. I don't feel too bad for those guys.

I say pull 'em. It's back-door gambling, period, and it is sleazy as hell.

[IA_Seth]

11. Amen! n/t

[IA_Seth]

12. Instead of replying to everyone....

Thanks for the words of encouragement. I could see the look of disappointment, and at the same time a look of happiness on my mom's face when she heard the news saying they would be banned. It's a tough thing to deal with, and I am glad she will have it just a little easier.

Thanks!

[9119495]

13. Hate 'em. Get rid of them. But a smart ploy by dems would have

been to tie support for the ban to a new source of revenue like a tobacco tax. After all, that is 50 million less for education, roads, prisons, etc. They also should offer some sort of buyout for SMALL businesses that purchased the machines as a show of good faith. Why does gambling gives so much to republicans? Hmmm.

[Hardrada]

14. I think they could have kept them in taverns.

But better would have been to raise cig taxes. O, the repugs say, then everyone will buy cigs in Illinois or SD etc but, sure, if you live in Indianola I suppose you're going to get on I-80 and drive three hours to Moline for a few cartons. Raise cig taxes. (I quit smoking in 1992 so I guess I have no pain saying that.. but even so...). Another argument is that gambling addicts can GAMBLE ONLINE andf how are we going to tax that? Hmmm.