Citizens Against Gambling Expansion held a press conference at 11:00 a.m. in the Capitol Rotunda in Frankfort on Tuesday, January 8th 2002. The press conference will immediately precede the opening of the 2002 Session of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. The legislature is scheduled to be gaveled into session at noon.

CAGE, a coalition of religious groups and individuals, has been at work since 1994. It includes such organizations as the Kentucky Council of Churches, the Catholic Conference of Kentucky, the Family Foundation of Kentucky, the Kentucky Temperance League, the Kentucky Baptist Convention's Public Affairs Committee, representatives from Southeast Christian Church, and a number of other people opposed to expanded gambling that utilizes casino style games or slot machines, also known as Video Lottery Terminals (VLTs) or Video Gambling (Gaming) Devices (VGDs).

In preparation for the upcoming 2002 session of the General Assembly, CAGE has been developing its networks, obtaining and creating new technology to assist in their efforts to prevent expanded gambling, and laying the ground work to defeat the most intensive effort yet to be mounted by the race tracks and the Lottery Corporation, along with John Bays efforts to get a casino in Owensboro, to win legislative approval for casinos and slot machines. With state revenues falling short by over $500 million, advocates for gambling believe that now is the time to persuade the legislators to go for the "easy money" that slot machines and casinos would provide. The race tracks, which must be viewed separately from the thoroughbred industry, stand to gain millions of dollars at a time when all but one (Turfway in Northern Kentucky) of the major tracks in Kentucky are experiencing record profits in a time of recession.

The press conference will include a presentation by CAGE moderator, Rev. Nancy Jo Kemper, Executive Director of the Kentucky Council of Churches, outlining the results of a recent poll they had conducted by an independent research firm and revealing new technology that the Council of Churches has acquired that will be used by CAGE to inform churches and church people across the Comonwealth about legislative bills and the stands of various legislators on the matter of expanded gambling.

CAGE argues that expanded gambling is bad economics. It is short-sighted to approve expanded gambling based on conditions caused by a recession that nearly all economists say will soon end. It is bad economics because casinos and video gambling enterprises are predatory and cannibalistic forms of economic activity, that in the long run cost far more than they produce. Further, CAGE believes that there are some legislators, along with the Kentucky Lottery Corporation, who believe that they can utilize VLGs (such as video lottery terminals and video poker and keno machines) without approval of the citizens by referendum. The Attorney General, Ben Chandler, has ruled that he believes that the people of Kentucky did not approve the use of such gambling devices and games when they approved a lottery, and that any such action would require a public referendum. Expanded gambling using such electronic machines would violate the public trust. Expanded gambling is therefore bad government.

Finally, CAGE believes that state government cannot say out of one side of its mouth that "Education pays" while fleecing its citizens with gambling and encouraging them to believe not in education and personal responsibility but in Lady Luck. CAGE wants the citizens and legislators to think long and hard about who stands to gain millions of dollars out of the pockets of Kentuckians.

CAGE has invited legislators who have already formed a clear opinion about the forms of expanded gambling being discussed among politicians to join them at the press conference. CAGE also encourages church people from across the Commonwealth to join them in the Rotunda for this event, and then to disperse to meet with their legislators before the session officially begins. All persons wishing to enter the Capitol or the Capitol Annex MUST HAVE A PHOTO ID to present to the guards at the doorways. There may also be metal detectors in operation, so CAGE encourages people who wish to attend to leave pocket knives and other such implements at home. Parking is available on floors 4, 5 and 6 (bottom floors) of the parking garage next to the Capitol Annex building. Enter at the top and drive down to find parking.

Persons planning to attend are encouraged to call the CAGE offices (also the offices of the Kentucky Council of Churches) at 859-269-7715, or email CAGE@kycouncilofchurches.org so that we might know how many people will be present.