Gambling or no gambling? That is the question the city council faces in early September.

As almost the entire state of Illinois is aware, communities all over the state are deciding whether to allow regulated gambling in their towns. Religious leaders of these communities have been very vocal of their stance against allowing gambling in their towns. Many Clinton religious leaders have already voiced their opinions, and many more came before the Clinton City Council Monday evening to support a gambling ban already in place.

Pastor Dan Bell of the Assembly of God Church in Clinton addressed the Council and says his belief is gambling will take away from establishing a good work ethic with our future generation.

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Retired Pastor C. Don Ferrill expressed his concern towards lifting the gambling ban. Pastor Ferrill feels lifting the ban will not gain the community's population and he says if this ban is lifted, the Council might as well lift the ban on everything else.

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Pastor David Young of the Clinton Church of the Nazarene.  Pastor Young brought a different perspective to his argument. He says research points to video gambling being the most addictive form of gambling and the negative economic factors outweigh the positive factors. He also notes video gambling is the most likely form of gambling to drain the economic resources of the community and the least likely to generated economic prosperity.

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Many other pastors and church leaders spoke before the Council Monday. Many were quick to point out they realize not everyone who participates or will participate will become the scenarios they lay out, however, many who work with children, youth leaders in churches and a few teachers say they see children who are living the effects of their parents gambling and other social issues.

Business owners and several other residents voiced their support for lifting the gambling ban. Regional Radio News will highlight some of those comments Monday.