On
the
Nov
6
ballot,
Collinsville
voters
will
be
asked
the
following
question:
"Should
video
gaming
be
prohibited
in
the
City
of
Collinsville?"
1.
The
Video
Gaming
(GAMBLING)
Act
of
2009
requires
each
community
in
Illinois
to
decide
whether
it
will
allow
video
gambling
machines
(aka
video
poker,
video
blackjack,
video
slots)
in
bars
and
restaurants
that
serve
alcohol.
This
state
law
requires
that
GAMBLING
LOSSES
be
divided:
5%
to
the
city,
25%
to
the
state,
35%
to
the
bar
owner,
35%
to
the
owner
of
the
gambling
machines.
2.
The
gambling
industry
made
the
following
proposition
to
Collinsville,
"We
estimate
the
city
will
get
$300,000
of
additional
taxes."
For
this
to
occur,
the
people
of
Collinsville
would
have
to
lose
$6
MILLION
to
the
machines.
Seeing
similar
estimates,
the
Edwardsville
city
council
rejected
video
gambling
6-1.
3.
Do
we
desire
that
people
LOSE
$20
for
city
government
to
get
one
dollar?
4.
Video
gambling
is
known
as
the
"crack
cocaine
of
gambling."
Some
people
will
lose
their
paycheck.
Local
churches
and
food
pantries
will
see
more
people
in
need.
Local
police
will
deal
with
the
increase
in
crime.
5.
Video
gambling
has
been
rejected
by
the
City
of
Chicago,
unincorporated
Cook
County,
2/3
of
Chicago
suburbs,
Edwardsville,
Maryville,
Bethalto,
O'Fallon
and
Swansea.
6.
Every
town
in
Illinois
must
make
a
decision.
Collinsville
voters
should
Collinsville
voters
should
vote
YES.