Radio: Critics see bias in referendum over non-Indian casinos

This November voters in New York will decide whether the state will allow up to seven new resort style gambling casinos, when they have the choice of saying yes or no to an amendment. But the wording of the actual referendum on the ballot may increase the odds of the new casinos being approved.

Most ballot referendums proposing constitutional changes are written in very drab, and even confusing language. But the proposal to change the state’s constitution to allow up to seven new gambling casinos is different.

It says the amendment would allow the legislature to authorize up to seven casinos for the purpose of “promoting job growth, increasing aid to schools, and permitting local governments to lower property taxes through revenues generated.” The word gambling is never mentioned.