Anti-Gaming Group Funded by Nevada Interests

Nevada gambling interests, concerned about competition if California opens up to casinos, are financing a public relations campaign denouncing the social and economic costs of gambling.

The Nevada interests have set up a new group called the Foundation on Gambling Abuse, headed by former California Highway Patrol Commissioner Maurice Hannigan, which describes itself as “a coalition against casino gambling in California.”

In a recent letter to legislators, Hannigan cited a long list of negative social and economic consequences of gambling, including higher rates of domestic violence, child abuse, bankruptcy, robbery, fraud and embezzlement.

In closing, he quoted the Rev. Tom Grey, a well-known opponent of gambling, who says, “Casinos are in the business of separating you from your paycheck.” The letter makes no mention of the foundation’s funding source.

Hannigan, president of the foundation, acknowledged that his group has thus far received all its money--he wouldn’t say how much--from Nevada gambling interests. Hannigan said he has opposed the spread of casino gambling since his law enforcement days and doesn’t have a problem with taking money from casino companies as long as he can use it to fight gambling here.

“If they want to keep gambling in Nevada, more power to them,” Hannigan said, adding that he is trying to raise money from other sources as well.

Details of the anti-gambling campaign were reported in the Sacramento Bee.

Ruth Holton, executive director of California Common Cause, the political watchdog group, called Hannigan’s group “the ultimate in deceptive, Astroturf lobbying,” in which special interests set up pseudo-grass-roots organizations.

“I think it’s certainly a cynical manipulation of the process,” Holton said. “If you look at where their money is coming from, it’s just completely at odds with their message.”

Measures now making their way through the Legislature would regulate gambling in California, allow publicly traded corporations to run card rooms and legalize video slot machines on Indian casinos.