Darr did not agree that the economic value of the casinos was comparable to the social and moral implications that often go hand in hand with gambling. He calculated that the income from the gaming industry would only be about 2.1 percent of the tax revenue, and that in order to compete with Connecticut, Massachusetts would have to build a larger casino than Foxwoods, which is currently the world's largest casino. These slight economic benefits are not enough to validate the social and moral degradation of the state, Darr said.
Whereas Mooney argued that the casinos may help rebuild cities such as Springfield, Palmer, and Middleborough, the proposed cities to house the new gaming industry, Darr believes that the money made would go straight to the Patrick government spending plan and not to the betterment of these places. He also sees many of the negatives associated with the gaming industry being brought to Massachusetts with the introduction of casinos, such as a higher divorce rate, the destruction of family life, and an increase in compulsive gamblers. Also, Darr pointed out that gamblers are 60 percent more likely to carry a weapon than non-gamblers. It also "puts the youth at risk," added Darr. "If they are growing up in a gaming culture, they will be more likely to become gamblers themselves."
The morality of gambling was a big issue in the debate. Darr argued that the moral implications go against what many Americans hold to be valuable: the concept of work. "The American dream," Darr said, "is that every man can make it if they work hard. Gaming undermines that." He added on a more religious basis that "gambling encourages two of the seven deadly sins: greed and sloth."
Contradicting these concepts, Mooney believes that part of the American culture is the love for entertainment and risk taking, and gaming provides both to the people. If a person is making money, it should be up to him or her how to spend it. As for the religious opposition, Mooney brought up the legendary concept of Catholic bingo nights as fundraisers for many churches and private schools and the game of dreidel in the Jewish community.
Both Darr and Mooney made convincing arguments, although Mooney managed to sway a couple people according to the second voting of the audience after the debate had finished. By the conclusion of the night, these two men and the Boisi Center had at the least given those in attendance the information to think about the problem that is very close at hand for the students at BC.
Spring Break
