By Eric Cordova —
One of the few things about my columns are I typically involve a personal aspect when writing; and try to provide an objective view of the issues. This week I spent a lot of time considering the consequences of certain legislative actions, and how our communities have been lied to by social promises that cause more harm than good.
I was raised in East Elmhurst, the building I grew up with was covered in graffiti and drug sales (this is how it was in the 80’s and early 90’s), the 115th precinct once posted a sign informing the residents the building was under surveillance. I spent a lot of time in the public parks playing basketball, watching the older generation play handball, gamble, and drink. I learned to play poker, bet on horses, and how to use a gamblers terminology properly.
I can remember sitting in the barber’s chair, getting my hair cut, when they received a visit from the daily runner to take bets on the numbers (this still happens today). For years, illegal gambling has been present in our community, but every politician has turned a blind eye, or have failed to really understand the issues our community really face. Politicians are unaware that there is a bookie’s office in Corona, Jackson Heights, and East Elmhurst. Yet, most of the people living in our community are aware of these places, but the none of the local politicians seem aware of this, or worst case is they know but refuse to pay any attention to it.
I have not heard any comments from Senator Ramos, Counsel Member Moya, Assembly Member Cruz, or even the newly elected Assembly Member Gonzalez-Rojas discussing the issues of gambling. Instead, what we as a community are constantly told by these actors is gambling brings revenue that can improve New York.
Before I talk about how gambling revenue effects New Yorkers, let me share my experience: I grew up learning the gambling community. I have seen gamblers wager play by play, to the point where even the coach’s decision is being betted on; I have seen players movement being wagered on, and even local pickup games in the park falling victim to gambling. I have been to underground poker tournaments in Jackson Heights, Corona, Woodside, Manhattan, Staten Island, and most of Brooklyn. I made weekly trips to Atlantic City in the early 2000’s for tournaments, and once the tournaments were done, there was always some underground game in the area.
I know the lifestyle and was embedded in the culture. The one thing that saved me was I knew my gambling was just for entertainment, and not for profit or a business. I realized I did not want to fall victim to a gambling addiction once I was exposed to the darker side of gambling. I have seen men and women lose their livelihoods, spend all their money, increase their drug habits in all night benders, and get physically assaulted for making bad bets.
I wonder how my experience would relate to a politician’s views on using gambling revenue to help fund their political beliefs, knowing that for decades politicians have been told about the dangers of legalizing illegal activities in New York City urban communities.
This past Sunday was Superbowl weekend, a large commercial event that leads to billions of dollars in advertising, product sales, and now gambling. During the month of December, I have seen countless amounts of advertising from Draft Kings, and all other online gambling corporations in New York State. It’s been a full-blown blitz by the gambling corporations asking New Yorkers to consider gambling for the holidays and get involved in sports betting. I gamble every year on the Super Bowl (and I haven’t lost a football playoff game in more than twelve years), I also bet money on the top horse races each year (Preakness, Derby and Belmont). For the horse races the professionals spend countless amounts of time researching the trainers, jocky’s, horses, the fields, and even the weather.
This year I decided to place two bets taking the winner straight up, and then placing a subsequent bet on the spread (this is how gamblers speak). I covered the spread but lost the lost first bet being straight up, the result was I made 20% winning over my initial bet (this is how gamblers talk). As I was talking about my bets, I sat and spoke with my friend and fellow gambler (the individual who showed me how to place these bets as a kid). The first thing he said to me was “son, I see a lot of bad things happening in New York because of the online gambling and casinos”, and I responded by saying “G, I agree, and I know what you are going to say”.
The fact is I am a gambler, and as a gambler I can tell you the result of gambling is the loss of economic power for people who are living paycheck to paycheck. This means less money for people to spend on goods and services, and an increase in addiction to keep up with their gambling activity. Consider the fact that I gamble for entertainment and not for profit. I visit a casino or place a bet with the notion that I am going to lose the money (some people go to movies, others travel, I like to gamble), but there are not many Americans that view gambling as entertainment.
Politicians like Senator Ramos, Governor Hochul and other progressive leaders are trying to convince you that Casinos and gambling will bring jobs to our community, and the revenue from gambling and marijuana sales will be used for a good cause. This is no different than selling drugs to the most vulnerable communities (which happen to be Black and Hispanic/Latino) and having the drug dealers donate their income to local churches. That is why revenue from these types of activities are called Sin Taxes (revenue from the sale of Alcohol, Tobacco, Drugs, and Gambling).
A sin tax is a tax on items that are deemed harmful to society. The New York Assembly and State Senate are aware of the application of Sin Taxes. Every year the legislature increases the prices of cigarettes and alcohol to balance their budgets (this is a Sin Tax). Sin taxes are typically last resort monies used to help balance a budget. Unfortunately, with the new city and state governments progressive plan raising money to balance our budget is now difficult, and their only resort is to allow us (New Yorkers) the ability to indulge in gambling and drugs (Marijuana).