NIAGARA FALLS — In New York, $9.5 billion is spent on gambling every year, whether it’s on the slot machines at the Seneca Niagara Casino or scratch-off lottery tickets at the local Wilson Farms.
When all is said and done, the state takes in $2.1 billion from gambling each year. It’s an industry that brings in a whole lot of money for the state.
It’s also an industry that creates a whole host of problems, chief among them, gambling addiction.
While no one’s really sure of the number, it’s estimated in the United States that 1 percent to 3 percent of the population are pathological gamblers and 2 percent to 5 percent are compulsive gamblers.
That’s probably just the tip of the iceberg. There’s also things like bankruptcies and associated crimes that spike when gambling becomes a problem.
Knowing that New York brings in billions off gambling, is much being done to address the problems it
creates?
Not really. In New York, $3.3 million is spent on gambling treatment — a tiny fraction of what the state makes.
Closer to home, officials at Seneca Niagara Casino won’t say how much they provide for gambling addiction treatment or prevention. Hopefully, they’re doing a little better.
But no matter what the Senecas are doing, our real problem is with government officials.
Since it was announced that the casino would be opening in the Falls, state and local officials have been clawing at whatever percentage the Senecas were sending the state’s way. Afterward, they trip all over each other to take credit for bringing in the millions.
But what about when it comes to helping alleviate some of the negative problems the casino creates?
We pretty much get silence.
While officials don’t say much, their actions do, and it’s not very good.
About $2.1 billion comes in thanks to gambling — $3.1 million goes out to help those in gambling’s grip. That’s right around 0.15 percent.
That’s not enough by far.
As problems associated with gambling continue to rise, the problems it creates will end up costing everyone a whole lot more.
Local News
Related Photos
-
Chuck Branham
Related Links
HOOKED ON GAMBLING: Cost goes beyond money
More needs to be done to address problems
- Local News
-
-
Falls ceremony honors fallen military, veterans
With the weather fully cooperating, the Niagara Falls Veterans Memorial Commission got a chance to showcase its new creation in Hyde Park Saturday.
-
Man presumed drowned in Niagara River
Emergency crews called off a search in the lower Niagara River for a person who was swept away by the water Saturday afternoon.
-
California tourists robbed at gunpoint in Falls
Falls police are investigating a report of armed robbery from a parking lot in the 100 block of Niagara Street Saturday.
-
Buy local resolution seems familiar to city officials
The city council will vote on a resolution that will encourage the city to do more business with local companies.
Council member Glenn Choolokian will introduce the resolution “relative to promoting city purchasing activities for local businesses in the city of Niagara Falls,” with the support of council Chairman Sam Fruscione and council member Robert Anderson at next week’s meeting. -
Second suspect pleads in shooting death of NU student
All Cordero Gibson could do as he stood in a Niagara County courtoom on Friday morning was weep.
The 23-year-old Falls man was pleading guilty to his role a in robbery gone bad that had left a Niagara University student dead. Because he didn't fire the shot that killed Brandon Johnson, Gibson dodged the bullet of a murder conviction.
-
SLIDESHOW: Memorial Day events in the Falls
Niagara Falls celebrates Memorial Day Weekend activities on Saturday with a parade on Pine Avenue, a memorial service and viewing of the new Veterans Memorial at Hyde Park, a concert series on Old Falls Street and free boat safety inspections by the Niagara County Sheriff Department Marine Division at the City of Niagara Falls Boat Docks on Buffalo Avenue.
-
Legislation protecting Falls air base units moves forward
The effort to protect jobs at the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station got a boost from a committee in Washington, D.C. on Thursday.
-
Korean student robbed at gunpoint in Falls
Detectives are investigating the robbery of a 25-year-old woman Wednesday night in front of a motel in the 400 block of Main Street.
-
Davis will not seek Murphy removal
Lawyers for accused killer Matthew “Bones” Davis say their client will not ask to have Niagara County Court Judge Matthew J. Murphy III removed from his case.
-
Labor group laments economic development efforts
Economic development in New York state has become a joke to some in the area. And many of them are demanding changes to a process which spends approximately $3 billion a year.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results
Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class
Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
Raw Video: Fight Erupts in Ukrainian Parliament
Texan Ranchers Remain Wary of Drought
Raw Video: Soldiers Plant Flags at Arlington
Police: Man Arrested in Etan Patz Disappearance
NYC Protests: the Revolution Will Be Scripted
Chicago U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald Resigns
