Casino opponents smash slot machine in protest of NYS gambling-in front of the capitol

[hrmjustin]

By Dan O'Regan

Groups opposed to the controversial proposal one, a referendum on whether or not to allow casino gambling in New York state, smashed a slot machine yesterday outside the State Capitol Building to demonstrate their disapproval for the measure.

The stunt was inspired by former New York City mayor Fiorello LaGuardia's efforts against slot machines more than 70 years ago. The late mayor was famous for smashing slot machines in protest of gambling in New York.

"Overwhelmingly what people do at casinos is put their money in slot machines and the slot machines are really rigged to make you lose," President of the Institute for American Values David Blankenhorn said. "The more money you put in the more money you lose, that's the only purpose of these machines."

Blankenhorn sees the proposed measure as something only politicians want.

Read more at http://www.legislativegazette.com/Articles-Top-Stories-c-2013-10-16-85457.113122-Casino-opponents-smash-slot-machine-in-protest-of-NYS-gambling.html

[Warpy]

1. I played slots when I was six and the bouncer was looking the other way

They were nickel slots and it was legal on the Maryland shore back then.

As an adult, I just never saw the point of all that money and effort directed toward getting an inadequate payout. You might as well put all that effort into working for a paycheck.

Low cost slots have really poor payout rates. The five and ten dollar chip slots are the ones that pay out more frequently. I had a friend who did the books for a casino, hated their guts, and let everybody know the geography and how payouts were set. Cheap machines near the door, forget it.

[hrmjustin]

2. I have never been to a casino. Not my cup of tea.

[Warpy]

3. I've walked through one here

on the way to a concert venue (tribes here pouring casino profits into creating resort areas) and it's not my cupper, either. The racket, flashing lights, and fog of cigarette smoke are just too much. I don't know how people stand it, much less enjoy it.

[hrmjustin]

4. There is so much more to do with your money then loose it in a machine or a card table.