Slots

The Maryland Catholic Conference on October 22 released a background paper on November’s slots referendum that is intended to assist Catholic voters in their duty to responsibly consider Ballot Question 2. (Background paper in PDF form for distribution as bulletin insert.)

“Consistent with our long-standing opposition to the legalization of slots, the Maryland Catholic Conference opposes Ballot Question 2,” said Richard J. Dowling, the Conference’s executive director. “At the same time, we recognize that the slots referendum is an issue of prudential judgment and that Catholic voters can legitimately disagree about it.”

“The real moral responsibility that Catholics have on the issue of slots is to go to the polls as educated voters,” Dowling added. “This background paper is intended to assist them in exercising that responsibility.”

The two-page paper outlines Church teaching on gambling and economic justice. Gambling is a legitimate recreational act, the paper notes, but becomes morally problematic when it interferes with an individual’s other duties. Individuals, governments and gaming proprietors are therefore obliged to place appropriate limits on gaming. Moreover, the paper observes that the common good is better served when all citizens – not just those who gamble – share responsibility for funding needed programs.

The background paper goes on to raise concern about the impact of slots on low-income families and the potential for harm to communities. It recognizes that a fiscally-sound state government is important and that aid for the vulnerable could suffer if new revenue streams are not tapped. But that alone, the paper notes, is an insufficient rationale for legalizing slot-machine gambling in the state. Click here to read the full statement.

The Maryland Catholic Conference is not a member of, nor is it represented by, any slots-related coalitions or organizations.