Please call or write to your Texas State Senator and your Texas State Representative. Ask them to OPPOSE HJR 155
In Senate District 2, contact Senator Bob Hall.
Email link https://rb.gy/tz5b
Austin office (512) 463-0102
Rockwall County Office (972) 722-3131
In House District 33, contact Representative Justin Holland.
Email link https://rb.gy/pxpe
Austin office (512) 463-0484
Rockwall County Office (972) 722-7521
I remember how the Texas State Lottery was advertised to fund public schools. How has that worked out for us so far? Instead, it has deleteriously affected a significant number of Texans.
Most Texans can gamble with no problems whatsoever. Most Texans have no problem obeying traffic laws. Most Texans are not murderers.
Let’s focus on the few Texans that DO have problems derived from gambling.
FYI: In all 50 states, Texas ranks ninth in percent of adults with gambling disorders—and we do NOT now have casino gambling.
Gambling and Domestic Violence
Compulsive gambling doesn’t just affect the person who gambles. Statistics indicate that families where a parent gambles compulsively are more likely to experience domestic violence, including child abuse. Even when gambling and domestic violence don’t coincide, children of parents with gambling addiction are more likely to develop depression, substance use, and behavioral problems later in life.
Gambling and Criminal Activity
While gambling is legal in most states, gambling and crime frequently are related. Approximately half of the compulsive gamblers commit crimes. Most of these crimes are related to obtaining money to gamble or to pay gambling debts. Common crimes related to compulsive gambling include fraud, forgery, embezzlement, larceny, shoplifting, burglary, and petty theft. As compulsive gambling increases in severity, there is a correlation of increased criminal activity. Understanding this relationship requires a review of gambling and crime rate statistics:
More than two-thirds of compulsive gamblers report committing crimes directly related to gambling, and approximately 40 percent of compulsive gamblers report the only crimes they commit are related to gambling:
►80 to 90 percent of individuals who attend Gamblers Anonymous report engaging in illegal acts to get money for gambling
►63 percent of Gamblers Anonymous members reported writing bad checks, and approximately 30 percent reported stealing from work
►Nearly 70 percent of gamblers assessed as having a severe problem reported engaging in illegal acts relating to gambling, compared to roughly 26 percent assessed to have moderate severity
►The state of Georgia has estimated that the lifetime correctional costs for a problem gambler may range from $2,950 to $2,210
A study of Gamblers Anonymous members found that 57 percent had stolen to finance their gambling, with a combined financial impact of theft equaling $30 million
►Compulsive gamblers are arrested seven times more frequently than non-gamblers
Thank you for opposing casino gambling in the Lone Star State.
John White
Rockwall, Texas
John N. White 