by Eagles BEA

Created on: June 10, 2009   Last Updated: June 15, 2009

Nope, because if we study history, our study will show that the idea, most likely, will not work. States, counties, all municipalities use the "balance budget" argument or the "lower taxes" argument to find favor for gambling in the beginning because a majority of people don't care for gambling coming to their state or city. The whole reason that municipalities have to run the misinformation campaigns in the first place is because people don't want gambling, and its negative results, to come to their area. Citizens know that there are inherent problems that come from legalized gambling- issues with misspent money (both public and private), addiction issues, and additional pressure later on after gateway programs like Keno gambling are passed. Municipalities make statements like "its just Keno" when they know if they can get just that much of the door open, they can shove other things through later on, saying well you approved Keno, so come on! The frog in the water pot syndrome applies here: increase the water by just one degree at a time and the from won't notice and soon he'll be boiled.

Legalized gambling programs like lottery or Keno have never solved money issues for states- see California, Oregon and Washington as three examples of miserable failures. I remember when these states fore-casted that these Keno or lottery programs would solve issues. The only things these programs do is create more problems with gambling addictions, and sadly the money that is supposed to go help "education" or "the poor" or "transportation" goes into a big slush fund never to be seen.

Only if the state is going to give itself over to gambling being its number one export, like Nevada, can one hope for any kind of success. But even giant gambling meccas like Las Vegas have not solved all of the state's financial burdens. And if the prospect of turning a state into a gambling destination is so beneficial and lucrative, one has to ask "why have more states not done this?" Depending on gambling revenue for helping fund needed services is a sketchy idea at best. There's no way to project how well the programs will do, how the designated money is going to get where its supposed to go (if it indeed shows up at all), or the negative aspects that may come later when more ambitious gambling programs are introduced, and passed.

People argue that states should get some of the revenue that Indian casinos get, but I say just because a neighbor down the street (who happens to be federally regulated) has thrown in with a bad idea, doesn't mean we should approve for our municipalities to do the same. Every time an Indian tribe casino is proposed in an area, there is strong opposition by the local populace. Ever ask why? It's not because people hate Indians or want them to fail, it is indeed because of all the negative aspects that come along with gambling. Think about it.

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