Say there is this wealthy philanthropist who has designated $200 million a year to be donated to Jewish causes. The organization you are affiliated with has qualified for a very large yearly donation form this man. The caveat is that the man's fortune is made from casinos in Las Vegas.
If you had a say in the matter,what would you do? Why?
Discuss.

Casinos themselves have very little if any issue with their money. "Avak gezel" is not a problem, and yeshuvo shel olom also seems like it's taken care of. So I'd be able to use this man's money for a good cause, and I'd take it. But there are other issues under the surface that need to be examined.

Such as...?

Likelihood and amount of finding a donor are inversely proportionate to relevance and importance of the cause. I can show dozens of worthy causes languishing for literally pennies (relative to other figures thrown around), while the most nonsensic and extravagant "projects" and recepients have no problem securing rich uncles with 6, 7 or even 8 figure pledges. Such is the way of the world, and reasons for such process are described in detail in Gemoro. עני שאינו הגון is a way of dealing with a donor who thinks that money is his to spend the way he sees fit as he earned it by virtue of being smart, handsome, witty and charismatic.

So while an abstract project only has abstract issues, a concrete project and a concrete donor will likely have very concrete issues that shouldn't be spelled out in a hypothetical scenario.

I see.
I was asking on the more fundamental level. Are these monies "tainted" in your view or not. And even if they are Halachically acceptable,would it create a negative image due to the publicity of the donation? If so,would it still be worth taking?

I don't see a problem. Better the money come from an honest casino than a shady businessman.....

Honest casino? What is that supposed to mean?

A casino that is run honestly and not cheating people. How many businessmen and "philanthropists" can say the same thing???
How many Yeshivos are funded by all sorts of shady businesses??? Casinos are pretty low on the list......

Id love to see a Rav who paskens against receiving 200$ million obtained in this fashion. Something tells me that the vast majority will find a way to be meichal no matter how the money was obtained.



If you're insinuating about Birthright, then I would completely agree. Add to that the ridiculous Canadian Museum of Tolerance that millions of $ are being sunken into

All thatis the rest of what's "under the surface". The donor - is it Bugsy Segal or just some fund manager who owned casino stocks ? The org - is it Ponevizh or a pushka for needy grooms ? There are many, many variables and I'm sure there is no simple answer ...

Absolutely would take the money.

And for the record he earned his billions by taking the emphasis off gambling enticing conventioneer to LV midweek instead!

He is an honest businessman who sold suites for $250 a night, added high-end retailers and celebrity-chef restaurants. Now he supports Birthright and a host of other Jewish causes. G-d bless him!