Two prominent Nebraskans, Warren Buffett and Nancy Osborne, are speaking out against gambling in TV announcements that began airing Saturday night.
Investor Buffett, and Osborne, wife of former Nebraska football coach and Nebraska Rep. Tom Osborne, gave their time to create messages for Gambling With The Good Life, the organization opposing legalized gambling in Nebraska. Osborne's is a 30-second commercial while Warren Buffett's is a 30-minute chat, but it is not copyrighted and segments can be pulled for commercials. "Warren is going to speak to it from an economic perspective, that is what he is known for, and Nancy is going to speak to it from a family viewpoint," said Pat Loontjer of Gambling With The Good Life.
Nebraska voters will soon make the call on casino gambling. Two initiatives will appear on the November ballot. Nancy Osborne feels both should be defeated. "The money will do a U-turn back to Las Vegas." Warren Buffett agrees. "There's a lot of hope being sold in the world. I think it's very cynical of the state of Nebraska to sell false hopes." He said he hears daily from people with gambling addictions. "Those are the letters I get. People have been tapped out. It's all gone." His words are a boost to the efforts of those against gambling. "That in and of itself was phenomenal," said Loontjer. "Warren Buffett does not donate to causes. He also doesn't do what you've seen him do here today. So for him to step out for this cause, we are just very grateful."
Those who support gambling said the TV spots are no shock. "It's no surprise to us," said Julia Plucker with Keep The Money In Nebraska. "They are very well respected people, we certainly have respect for them. No matter who comes out against this, nothing can get rid of the fact that over $300 million a year is lost to gambling in Iowa alone."
In his presentation, Buffett said he has wagered on the golf course. He even bought his children a slot machine when they were young. He wanted them to learn about gambling. "Now I can give the kids any allowance I want as long as it's in dimes because I'll have it back by nightfall and I had a lot of fun with it. But in the process I taught the kids a lesson. You can't beat that machine." Buffett also contributed money to the anti-gambling cause, $10,000 to Gambling With The Good Life.
http://www.wowt.com/news/headlines/1050296.html
Investor Buffett, and Osborne, wife of former Nebraska football coach and Nebraska Rep. Tom Osborne, gave their time to create messages for Gambling With The Good Life, the organization opposing legalized gambling in Nebraska. Osborne's is a 30-second commercial while Warren Buffett's is a 30-minute chat, but it is not copyrighted and segments can be pulled for commercials. "Warren is going to speak to it from an economic perspective, that is what he is known for, and Nancy is going to speak to it from a family viewpoint," said Pat Loontjer of Gambling With The Good Life.
Nebraska voters will soon make the call on casino gambling. Two initiatives will appear on the November ballot. Nancy Osborne feels both should be defeated. "The money will do a U-turn back to Las Vegas." Warren Buffett agrees. "There's a lot of hope being sold in the world. I think it's very cynical of the state of Nebraska to sell false hopes." He said he hears daily from people with gambling addictions. "Those are the letters I get. People have been tapped out. It's all gone." His words are a boost to the efforts of those against gambling. "That in and of itself was phenomenal," said Loontjer. "Warren Buffett does not donate to causes. He also doesn't do what you've seen him do here today. So for him to step out for this cause, we are just very grateful."
Those who support gambling said the TV spots are no shock. "It's no surprise to us," said Julia Plucker with Keep The Money In Nebraska. "They are very well respected people, we certainly have respect for them. No matter who comes out against this, nothing can get rid of the fact that over $300 million a year is lost to gambling in Iowa alone."
In his presentation, Buffett said he has wagered on the golf course. He even bought his children a slot machine when they were young. He wanted them to learn about gambling. "Now I can give the kids any allowance I want as long as it's in dimes because I'll have it back by nightfall and I had a lot of fun with it. But in the process I taught the kids a lesson. You can't beat that machine." Buffett also contributed money to the anti-gambling cause, $10,000 to Gambling With The Good Life.
http://www.wowt.com/news/headlines/1050296.html
