Baptists, Legislature - Don’t Want Slot Machines in Texas

The governor of Texas, as well as the Texas Gaming Association would like to see slot machines legalized in Texas. However, the Baptists and the Texas State Legislature do not want to legalize slot machines, and will do everything in their power to make sure that it does not happen. They say that they formed a coalition against the slot machines the first time the governor tried to get them legalized – and they will do it again.

Suzii Paynter, the director of the Christian Life Commission of the Baptist General Convention of Texas, says that bringing in slot machines would bring a whole host of social ills that they are not prepared to deal with. She says that gambling addiction and crime would both increase due to the proximity of the slot machines. She also points out that by bringing in slot machines, you are taking money away from other things in Texas that depend on that income – sporting events, theme parks, etc.

The legislature says that they don’t think that by bringing in slot machines that millions of dollars will just start falling into their laps. They say that they have looked at studies of the surrounding states, and the amount of money that they are bringing in from their slot machines is just not worth it. Plus, it isn’t like they can depend on the slot machines to make a certain amount of money, they could make less than projected and if you have things depending on that revenue – you will end up not being able to pay for them. They blocked an attempt by the governor to add slot machines to a school funding plan once, and they say they would form an “anti-gambling block” again.

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