Las Vegas NowClinton Camp Slams Obama's Concerns About Gambling

Clinton Camp Slams Obama's Concerns About Gambling

Gambling is good, the Clinton campaign argued Friday in a conference call meant to draw attention to Barack Obama's past concerns about using gambling as an economic development tool in poor communities.

"What we have found in every instance, when you create an economic engine that drives job creation, encourages capital investment ... you have an industry that builds community ... and provides livelihood," Harrah's Entertainment Inc. executive Jan Jones said on a conference call to reporters. Jones is a former Las Vegas mayor and co-chair of the Clinton campaign's National Women's Business Council.

The call came as Obama touched down in the nation's gambling Mecca, the latest front in the fight for the Democratic presidential nomination.

Obama's hopes for winning Nevada's Jan. 19 caucus were boosted this week by an endorsement from the 60,000-member Culinary Worker Union, Local 226. The powerful union represents hotel, restaurant and laundry workers employed by the state's booming casino industry.

Jones and Clinton's Nevada Chairman Rory Reid suggested the Illinois senator was a gambling industry opponent and a threat to union member's jobs.

They pointed to remarks Obama made in May 2003 when then Illinois Gov. Rod Blogojevich said he would reject calls to expand gambling as a way to make up for a budget deficit.

"I think it's a good decision. It is irresponsible to use gambling as our principle source of revenue," Obama said in May 2003 Chicago Defender article. "I think the moral and social cost of gambling, particularly in low-income communities could be devastating."

Asked in February about his views, Obama told The Associated Press that Nevada should be proud of how it's used gambling as a "very successful economic model."

"The concerns that I had in Illinois related to the way in which those who own these (gambling river) boats had a very exclusive monopoly, were making enormous contributions to the state Legislature and were having a disproportionate influence on the legislation," Obama said.

Obama also was a critic of lawmakers accepting political contributions from gambling interests that were seeking permits from the Illinois Legislature.

The senator said he continued to believe there is "certainly a potential moral and social cost to gambling, if it's not properly regulated, if children have access to it. It's something I continue to be concerned about."

Nevadans also have similar concerns. Children are banned from the casino floor and companies have been fined for violating the restriction.

Politicians from both parties in Nevada regularly accept contributions from the gambling industry. A rare few have suggested the industry ought to pay more in taxes, and even fewer publicly question gambling as an economic development tool.

Nevada casinos won $981.1 million in November, the last month reported. The state collected $390 million in casino taxes since the fiscal year began July 1.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)