Colorado's Black Hawk municipal government has affiliated with a nationwide organization that advocates against online gambling (iGaming).
Black Hawk City Council Joins National Association Against iGaming
In a recent development, the Black Hawk City Council has joined the National Association Against iGaming (NAAiG), a coalition of local businesses, industry veterans, community advocates, and concerned citizens. The move comes as a response to concerns about the potential impact of online gambling on the city's economy and public health.
Jason Gumer, vice chair of the NAAiG and executive vice president and general counsel for Monarch Casino, presented to the Black Hawk City Council about the threats posed by iGaming to Colorado's land-based gaming sector, jobs, and public health. Gumer emphasized that online gambling doesn't support jobs and instead channels profits out of state.
According to Gumer, if iGaming becomes legal in Colorado, the state stands to lose up to $129 million a year in lost labor income. Moreover, the NAAiG-commissioned study projects that 2,050 jobs will be lost in Colorado if iGaming is legalized, including 1,200 direct jobs in mountain towns.
Gumer also warned that if iGaming comes to Colorado, the state will never see another brick-and-mortar casino opened ever again, hurting the economy. He further stated that Colorado will suffer $830 million in increased social costs due to gambling addiction and related problems if iGaming is legalized.
Gumer rejected the argument that iGaming should be allowed because some people already do it illegally, calling it "crazy." He also pointed out that only seven states in the United States allow iGaming, but Europe has had it for a while. However, he cited the situation in England as an example, stating that iGaming was introduced as a savior for governments and tax revenue, but it has not lived up to expectations.
Mayor David Spellman of Black Hawk agreed with Gumer's points and expressed concerns about people gambling at work if iGaming becomes legal. The Black Hawk City Council vowed to join the NAAiG to protect their community from the dangers associated with online gaming.
The NAAiG was founded to address the threat of the growing online gaming industry and preserve jobs and economic stability across America. The organisation supports in-person, regulated gaming but opposes online casinos due to their perceived dangers and lack of contributions to local communities.
The Black Hawk City Council, in concern for the potential negative effects of online gambling on the city's economy and public health, has joined the NAAiG, opposing the legalization of iGaming in Colorado. Jason Gumer, representing the NAAiG, argued that online gambling not only fails to support jobs but also channels profits out of state, potentially leading to a loss of $129 million in labor income annually if legalized.
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