PRE-4

The Friends Committee an Legislation ("FCL") endorses Friends' traditional opposition to gambling on moral grounds, We know that gambling is addictive to some and that families
may be made destitute because of gambling. Furthermore, gambling preys on the poor. Friends continue to bear testimony against betting, gambling, lotteries, speculation
and other endeavors that entice people to risk money in anticipation of disproportionate gain.

Nevertheless, we recognize that, regardless of our position, some people will gamble. We bear this in mind as we declare our policy on what we believe the State should do about
gambling.

We oppose State operation or sponsorship of gambling,The California Lottery should be discontinued and·gambfing should never be used as a means of producing revenue for the State.

However, gambling would continue to exist, even if the State were to outlaw it. Illegal gambling has provided much of the incentive and resources for organized crime in the past
and there is no reason to believe this would change in the future,

Therefore, the State should adequately regulate gambling. Licensing should be required, but the license fee should be only enough to cover the cost of public expenditures related to gambling and not used as a source of general revenue.

The issue of Friends' attitude toward gambling on Indian reservations is very complex because it involves conflicting values. While we share our testimonies with legislators against gambling, we do not feel it is right to impose our will upon sovereign Native American nations. FCL decries the economic and political inequity in which organized
gambling is often perceived to be the most viable form of business enterprise. FCL supports legislation and programs that encourage alternative forms of economic development that generate sustainable benefit to Native Americans.


Approved by FCL Northern Policy Committee 5/25/97.
Revised and approved by FCL Southern Policy Committee 3/19/98
Approved by FCL Northern Policy Committee 5/9/98.
Approved by FCL Northern Regional Committee 5/9/98.
Approved by FCL Southern Regional Committee 6/18/98.