Free drinks

==Background==
In November, 2006, a new PA law allowed the casinos to give free drinks.
==Links==
* Gambling
===Media===
====Rendell should have vetoed 'free drinks' bill====
: From The Morning Call, November 30, 2006 
Coins have been dropping for less than a month at Pennsylvania's first slots
parlor, and already, the General Assembly has made the first of what will
certainly be many heartless concessions to the casino cartel, citing
competition from neighboring states.
What is this heartless concession, you ask? Well, now that Gov. Ed Rendell
signed the new bill, casinos will be able to ply their customers with a
mind-altering, judgment-impairing drug, 19 hours a day - for free! Yes, the
latest turn in Pennsylvania's downward gambling spiral is the legalization
of free alcoholic drinks to slots users. The legislation, sponsored by Sen.
Sean Logan, D-Allegheny, passed the state Senate by a vote of 27-22 and the
state House by 112-75.
This follows a vote by the state Senate just last month to exempt casinos
from smoking bans enacted by local municipalities. (Thankfully, that measure
then failed to pass the state House.) Some lawmakers said that they wanted
to exempt casinos because they feared that bans on cigarettes would reduce
the number of slots players and thus reduce the amount of revenue.
Apparently, there's no such special concern for the business impact on the
myriad of mom-and-pop taverns and restaurants that are affected by the
smoking bans already in place in Allegheny and Philadelphia counties. It's a
gambling protection program at work here.
It is equally appalling that one United Way chapter recruited hundreds of
gamblers from among its volunteers for the pre-opening test-run of the first
slot machines at Pocono Downs on the weekend before opening day, with
proceeds promised to compulsive gambling programs. Press reports said that
the local United Way of Wyoming Valley was excited about the opportunity to
thank volunteers in that way. Funding notwithstanding, it's the United Way
agencies that should know that dual and triple addictions are common, such
as alcoholics who are also hooked on gambling and smoking. It's the social
service world that will be forced to handle the fallout from the new crop of
local citizens who become gambling addicts. It has happened in every other
state, including those states our lawmakers say that we need to compete
with.
Imagine, if you will, allowing a car dealer to offer free booze to a
customer while he tries to close the sale and get the customer to sign on
the bottom line. Or a stock broker who leads an investor into the latest
deal after plying him with drinks during a version of happy hour!
Most people would deem those business practices unthinkable and in fact,
they might create unenforceable contracts. Under Pennsylvania's common law,
a person may avoid contractual obligations if the contract was formed while
he was visibly intoxicated. In other words, they are assumed to be victims
of the deal since they signed the bottom line while their judgment was
impaired by alcohol (or drugs).
Of course, the tragic actions of our General Assembly with regard to casino
gambling didn't start with the vote on free booze. These concessions to the
casinos will become all-too commonplace as one addiction literally feeds
another.
It's a double-minded government that has its state police rightfully warn
the public to Click it or Ticket to get us to buckle up, especially for
holiday travel and meanwhile seems to abandon its concerns for safety and
well-being of certain citizens when it comes to casinos and the almighty
gambling dollar.
Perhaps our General Assembly and the Gaming Control Board should take a
lesson from another state agency, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board. For
years, the PLCB has warned us against drinking and driving with a bumper
sticker that says, Impairment begins with the first drink.
If we believe in truth in advertising, maybe casinos should post their own
version: Impairment begins with the first free drink.
Thomas J. Shaheen is vice president for policy at the Pennsylvania Family
Institute in Harrisburg.
Imagine, if you will, allowing a car dealer to offer free booze to a
customer while he tries to close the sale.''