Member-only story

How One Small State Bucked The Church, The Feds, And The Mob To Usher In The Era Of Legalized Gambling

Harold Blair

·16.6k Followers· Follow

Published in American Sweepstakes: How One Small State Bucked The Church The Feds And The Mob To Usher In The Lottery Age

6 min read

149 View Claps

8 Respond

Save

Listen

In the annals of American history, the legalization of gambling stands as a watershed moment. It marked a seismic shift in societal attitudes, forever altering the landscape of entertainment and commerce. And at the heart of this revolution lay one small state: Rhode Island.

American Sweepstakes: How One Small State Bucked the Church, the Feds, and the Mob to Usher in the Lottery Age

by Kevin Flynn

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	12593 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	290 pages

Rhode Island's journey towards legalized gambling was a tumultuous and captivating tale, a David-versus-Goliath struggle against formidable adversaries. The state had to contend with the staunch opposition of the Catholic Church, the iron-fisted grip of organized crime, and the watchful eyes of the federal government.

The Church's Unyielding Stance

For centuries, the Catholic Church had vehemently condemned gambling as a moral evil. In Rhode Island, the Church's influence was particularly strong. The state's large Catholic population looked to the Church for guidance on matters of faith and morality, and the Church's unwavering opposition to gambling carried significant weight.

Led by the powerful Bishop Francis Patrick Keough, the Church launched a relentless campaign against any form of legalized gambling. Keough and his allies argued that gambling preyed on the weak and vulnerable, leading to addiction, poverty, and social decay. They lobbied politicians, organized protests, and threatened to withhold support from candidates who favored legalization.

The Mob's Grip on the Underworld

While the Church waged a moral battle against gambling, organized crime saw it as a lucrative opportunity. For decades, the Mob had controlled illegal gambling operations in Rhode Island, reaping enormous profits from slot machines, card games, and sports betting.

As legalization efforts gained momentum, the Mob realized that their grip on the gambling industry was threatened. They used their vast network of influence to intimidate politicians, bribe officials, and sabotage attempts to regulate gambling.

The Feds' Heavy-Handed Approach

Adding to Rhode Island's challenges was the federal government's unwavering stance against gambling. In the 1950s, Congress passed a series of laws, including the Johnson Act and the Organized Crime Control Act, which criminalized certain types of gambling across the country.

The federal government also launched a massive crackdown on illegal gambling, targeting slot machines in particular. This put pressure on Rhode Island, which had become a haven for illegal slot machine operations.

A Bold Governor and a Visionary Plan

Against this formidable array of opposition, a lone figure emerged as the champion of legalized gambling in Rhode Island: Governor John Chafee. Chafee, a moderate Republican, had long been skeptical of the Church's moralistic stance on gambling.

In 1976, Chafee unveiled his bold plan for the legalization and regulation of casino gambling in Rhode Island. He argued that legalization would bring jobs, revenue, and tourism to the state. It would also curb the influence of organized crime and provide a safe and controlled environment for gambling.

A Referendum and a Seismic Shift

Chafee's plan faced fierce resistance from the Catholic Church, the Mob, and the federal government. But he refused to back down. He took his case directly to the people of Rhode Island, launching a statewide referendum on the legalization of casino gambling.

In a historic vote, Rhode Islanders overwhelmingly approved the referendum. It was a seismic shift in public opinion, signaling a growing acceptance of gambling as a legitimate form of entertainment.

The Birth of the Gaming Industry

With the referendum's passage, Rhode Island became the first state in the United States to legalize casino gambling. In 1978, the first casino, Twin River Casino, opened its doors. It was a modest operation at first, but it laid the foundation for what would become a multi-billion dollar gaming industry.

The legalization of casino gambling in Rhode Island had a profound impact on the state and the nation. It paved the way for other states to follow suit, leading to the proliferation of casinos across the country.

Challenges and Controversies

The legalization of gambling in Rhode Island was not without its challenges and controversies. The Catholic Church continued to condemn it as a moral evil, and organized crime sought to maintain its foothold in the industry.

There were also concerns about gambling addiction, poverty, and other negative social consequences. However, Rhode Island implemented strict regulations to mitigate these risks, including age restrictions, limits on gambling losses, and programs to assist problem gamblers.

A Legacy of Innovation and Economic Development

Despite the challenges, the legalization of gambling in Rhode Island has been a success story. The state's casinos have generated billions of dollars in revenue, created tens of thousands of jobs, and attracted millions of tourists.

Rhode Island's gaming industry has also been a catalyst for innovation. The state is home to some of the most advanced casino technology in the world, including biometric facial recognition and mobile gaming platforms.

The legalization of gambling in Rhode Island was a groundbreaking moment in American history. It defied powerful societal, political, and criminal forces. It transformed the state's economy and ushered in a new era of entertainment and gaming.

Rhode Island's bold experiment has served as a model for other states across the country. And as the gaming industry continues to evolve, Rhode Island remains at the forefront of innovation, setting the pace for the future of legalized gambling.

American Sweepstakes: How One Small State Bucked the Church, the Feds, and the Mob to Usher in the Lottery Age

by Kevin Flynn

4.7 out of 5