Did You Know? Gambling and Marijuana in Illinois 2022

There are currently 11 casinos operating in Illinois: Rockford, East Peoria, Alton, Rock Island, Elgin, Metropolis, Aurora, East St. Louis, Joliet Hollywood, Joliet Harrah’s and Des Plaines. There are 5 more being planned or built, in Danville, Carterville, Homewood, Chicago and Waukegan.

The Gaming Board heard sobering details of a report released in July from the state of Illinois on its 383,000 residents with gambling problems.

*Problem gamblers in Illinois spent on average $16,750 on gambling on average per year. With that, 30% of them report gambling debt of over $50,000.

*10% of this group have either considered or attempted suicide. More than 50% Say Gambling Led To Neglecting Family / Kids

*761,000 adults in Illinois are at risk for developing a gambling addiction.

What about slot machines everywhere? Well, there are currently 43,128 machines in operation in bars, restaurants and truck stops. Moreover, with the legalization of Internet and sports betting, many of us have casinos at our finger tips on our smart phones.

It is vitally important that we warn our children and grandchildren that the success of the gambling industry is built on losers. Gambling addictions are real and contribute to broken families, financial ruin, and crime.

Two lists? Twenty years ago, the Illinois Gaming Board launched a Statewide Casino Voluntary Self-Exclusion Program for Problem Gamblers that allows persons who have determined they are problem gamblers to self-exclude themselves from all Illinois casinos.

In 2018, they established a voluntary, confidential Problem Gambling Registry for Video Gaming. Persons enrolled in the registry will receive regular emails providing information on problem gambling and containing links to problem gambling prevention and treatment resources available in Illinois.

1 Timothy 6:10 warns us about the “love of money.” The Bible has a few more things to say about this topic: See Luke 12:15; 1 Cor. 6:12; Ecc 5:10; Prov 28:19; 2 Peter 2:19; Romans 12:2; James 1:14-15; Prov. 3:5; Ps. 62:10; and Prov 23:5.

“Gambling is the child of avarice,
the brother of iniquity,
and the father of mischief.”
~George Washington~

Marijuana-Linked Vehicle Deaths Spiking

Marijuana use is increasing in the United States, and according to a recent report by the Governors Highway Safety Association, Responsibility.org and the National Alliance to Stop Impaired Driving, more drivers in fatal crashes tested positive for using the drug behind the wheel during the pandemic than before it.

Science confirms that THC directly affects the parts of the brain responsible for attention, decision-making, fine motor skills, and reaction time, which are all critical for safe driving. Unlike alcohol, THC stays in your system for days and possibly weeks (for heavy users). Workplace accidents are sure to increase as well.

In 2019, 18 percent of people aged 12 and older in the nation reported using pot in the past year, up from 11 percent in 2002. IFI warned state lawmakers about this inevitable trend of increase use and traffic accidents, but Big Marijuana deceived them and distracted them a new source of tax revenue.