by F.R. Duplantier
"Roughly three-quarters of all Americans now gamble -- and they have an abundance of venues from which to try their luck. Presently 48 of the 50 states allow one or more forms of legalized gambling."
"More and more state governments have seized upon legalized gambling as a revenue-generating gold mine -- a voluntary tax willingly paid out by citizens enamored with visions of quick riches," says Robert Reno of Focus on the Family. "This development has reversed government's historic position as a gambling regulator. Instead, state governments are now pouring resources into promotion and marketing, attempting to induce citizens to gamble." Once hooked on the tamer forms of gaming, state governments soon lose their resistance to the more intense forms.
"A state's initial foray into the gambling arena is frequently via a lottery," notes Reno. "After an initial flurry of activity, revenues from the lottery begin to decline. However, the state becomes increasingly dependent on gambling revenues, and therefore must offer other, more attractive, ways to entice citizens to part with their money." Reno points out that, "by introducing the lottery, government also expands the potential market for other gambling ventures." Research shows that "gambling participation rates increased sharply as states increased the number of forms of gambling allowed."
Politicians make a lot of extravagant promises to justify the legalization of gambling, but somehow the promises don't pan out. "Gambling proponents in government frequently justify their stance by noting that a significant portion of the proceeds are ear-marked for education, public works, or other such projects intended to benefit communities," observes Robert Reno. "However, they often fail to mention both the unreliability of gambling as a revenue source . . . and the fact that diverting gambling funds to such projects often yields little, if any, net gain in funding for those projects."
Reno confirms that "the introduction of gambling on a widespread basis correlates with a marked increase in crime." For one thing, "gambling tends to attract a criminal element." For another, problem gamblers frequently "turn to crime to finance their involvement." Reno notes that "one of the alleged benefits often cited by proponents of legalized gambling" is that it allows state governments to "undercut illegal gambling and thus hinder organized crime." Au contraire! "By enlarging the pool of bettors and, at the same time, reducing gambling's stigma," says Reno, "the state actually creates an increased market for illegal gambling activities."
Gambling is not the economic godsend the hucksters would have us believe. In fact, says Robert Reno, "the net economic effects are often negative." That's because "gambling-related jobs tend to be low-paying; other businesses suffer from the introduction of gambling; and gambling is associated with a host of costly social problems." What does gambling really offer? "A legacy of broken families and shattered lives," says Reno, "not to mention a price tag to society that runs into the billions of dollars. The government's present infatuation with and promotion of gambling," he concludes, "is unconscionable in light of the devastation."
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