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Showing posts from March, 2023

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...
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Enfield Street residents are on the verge of setting the town's future

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Planning and Zoning Commission capture from video on YouTube. Pastel effect added. The Felician Sisters senior and workforce housing project prompted a backlash in Enfield. Enfield Street area residents organized effectively against it. They lined a long stretch of the street with signs in opposition and turned out at various Planning and Zoning Commission hearings to speak against it. They defeated the project and moved on to a new target: Enfield's future.  The goal is to make building any type of multi-family housing difficult. Multi-family has become the key to the town's economic future.  There is a fight in this community over something you need to be aware of, the Plan of Conversation and Development or POCD. This document will set the town's planning direction for the next ten years, and its recommendations are consequential.  The Enfield I grew up in the 1960s is radically different today. We had many, many children back then. In the 1960s, only 13% of household...
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Enfield's future is being decided now

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  The local chapter of SURJ, which discusses and seeks solutions to Enfield's social justice and economic issues, will update the status of the town's Plan of Conservation and Development at its meeting on Wednesday. This plan will set the direction of the town for the next decade, and it is controversial because of the direction it sets on the future of housing. This backgrounder explains some key issues and includes comments from the town's recent public hearing. The public is always invited to SURJ meetings.  SURJ MEETING WEDNESDAY Enfield Chapter 15 March 2023 6:30-8:00 p.m. Via Zoom link below: Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82068793924... Meeting ID: 820 6879 3924 Passcode: 664288 Enfield POCD Housing Backgrounder Enfield is in the final stages of updating its Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD). This document will set Enfield's development direction for the next decade. The most controversial area is multifamily and affordable housing. The PO...
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