Why Do Many Chinatown Residents Oppose A Casino In Their Backyard? It Goes Way Back

While some Illinoisans are thrilled about a Chicagocasino, others are fearful of the impact it could have on their community.

The main concern is mounting amongst leaders in Chinatown, especially with the possibility that a new casino could open in their backyard.

Hard Rock One Central near Soldier Field, Bally & rsquo, s Chicago near River North, and Rivers 78nearChinatown are the three casinos that Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and her administration are currently considering.

Members of the community in Chinatown have recently voiced the harm it could do to their neighborhood, despite the fact that this isn & rsquo, the first bit of backlash the city has experienced at the prospect of a new casino opening. particularly if Rivers 78 is selected as the person to move forward with the casino’s opening procedures.

Grace Chan McKibben, executive director of the Coalition for a Better Chinese American Community( CBCAC ), thinks that due to the cultural makeup of Chinatown’s residents, casinos may prey on them.

She told Play Illinois via email:

Casinos are dangerous to all marginalized groups, including elderly, young people, people with low incomes, refugees, and people of color. People who can least afford to lose funds are typically the most vulnerable because they might believe that playing is a fast way to win money, despite the fact that gambling and gaming machines are made to make you lose track of time and money. & rdquo,

the background of playing and the Chinese population

McKibben cited the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, which prohibited immigrants who worked as labourers from bringing their people to the United States.

As a result, many Chinese immigrants turned to playing for leisure period. For years to come, this would have a profound effect on Chinatown and Chinese Americans.

McKibben added that the Illinois Department of Human Services( IDHS) has only recently begun providing funding for gambling addiction treatment. She claimed that the present funding is used for coaching for people who have gambling addictions. However, more money is also required to conduct research, identify the problem’s underlying causes, and put into practice tried-and-true solutions to assist those with gambling vices.

According to McKibben, Chicago and Lightfoot ought to shield the following organizations of at-risk gamblers:

• racial and ethnic groups
• Low-income neighborhoods
• communities of immigrants
• Seniors
• Youth

She remarked:

& ldquo, I believe that legislation banning or restricting aggressive advertising and marketing by casinos, betting sites, video gaming websites, etc. would go a long way toward educating the public about the potential harms of gambling addiction and funding counseling programs for all vulnerable communities. & rdquo,

The IDHS has shown some initiative toward tackling the issue of problem gambling across the Land of Lincoln. In 2020, the agency began a year-long statewide gambling addiction study.

Immediately, the study’s findings ought to be made public. The IDHS hopes that the findings will aid in identifying problems and preventing issue playing.

This summer’s winning Chicago game bidder will be revealed by Lightfoot.