Bishop Lawrence Provenzano of the Diocese of Long Island opposes a ballot initiative that would legalize gambling in New York. He writes:
Economical development is not a by-product of gambling. The experience of places like Atlantic City proves that middle-class shop owners, restaurants and homeowners pay a terrible price as local community life dwindles in the face of the casino’s presence. In Atlantic City, one-third of local retail businesses closed within the first four years of the casino’s establishment and the number of independent restaurants dropped from forty-eight to sixteen between the opening of the casino and 1997. (3) Gambling is not good for business. It is not good for children or schools or cultural advancement. Gambling is not good for municipalities as it places a tremendous burden on the services local government must provide. It is not good for real estate development, roads, or essential infrastructure. Gambling is not good for people.
Governor Andrew Cuomo and both New York mayoral candidates favor the initiative.