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Showing posts from November, 2020

Connecticut gamblers lost some $600M to online casinos

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  Years ago, I belonged to a group that tried to convince state lawmakers to reject online gambling. We got nowhere. We warned that online gaming would increase harm and produce no economic value. The data is showing what's happening.  Connecticut’s online casinos collected roughly $665 million after paying out winnings and making allowed deductions from October 2025 through September 2026. That gives a rough indication of players’ losses. The state received nearly $120 million of that money, which is what the chart shows. The state's cut is 18%.   What does that mean for Enfield?   Based on the problem gambling rate (state figure) of 1.8% -- and problem gamblers are the biggest source of gambling revenue --- approximately 600 adults in Enfield are problem gamblers. This means they have difficulty controlling their gambling, and may be in serious financial trouble.   There is another category called "at risk" -- as many as 1,600 people may be in this category. T...

Will Enfield vote for Trump again?

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Signs on Hazard Ave. near the Eastern intersection of Middle Road. The "Love will always win" sign speaks to the Enfield's socially liberal values, which may way heavily against Trump this time around.  Voting lines are long, with an hour-long wait at polling places, say social media reports. Connecticut will vote for Joe Biden in this race, as it did for Hillary Clinton in 2016. But Trump won Enfield in 2016, 9,238 to 8,548 . Will Trump repeat his 2016 Enfield victory? It's possible. There is one big local issue in play: Defense spending. Connecticut  ranks 7th in the nation  on defense spending. Trump increased defense spending, as promised, and Connecticut has benefited from the increases. Residents here are aware that many jobs are defense-related. But if Trump loses in Enfield, it might be around social and character issues. The town carries the New England traditions of live and let live tolerance, for all its conservative leanings. Enfield is generally social...