Don't use casino money for budget

Is casino money the answer to the state's budget woes? Not according to economics professor John Kindt of the University of Illinois. His in-depth study concludes: for every dollar of revenue the state gets from a casino, the state must pay out an average of three dollars to cover the added social costs.

Do casinos bring a community extra jobs? Studies show that when a casino moves in, businesses in the vicinity go belly up, eliminating hundreds of jobs.

A casino is good for a community? Sure, come in and win big! We all know casino odds are stacked against the gambler. Casino games are fixed -- the casino wins; you lose!

A casino helps solve the state's budget crisis? How about solving it the old-fashioned way -- cut the fat; eliminate services the state can't afford.

Joe Schrantz Villa Park