Another Gambling Excuse...

There's only one good reason to legalize gambling: because you believe people should be able to gamble if they want to.

Make no mistake -- that's a fine, libertarian reason. I'm all for it.

But we can never just say it that way. Nope, We have to come up with excuses and justifications.

Take Gov. Charlie Crist. In another big reversal from Jeb Bush, Crist says that perhaps Florida should allow more gambling to help raise money for the state.

After all, the state is already negotiating with the Seminole Tribe on what kind of new gambling will be allowed. The feds have given the state a deadline for those talks.

Meanwhile, the state is facing a $1.1-billion budget shortfall...

"I want to be open-minded'' the governor says, "and I want us to be innovative." In other words, he thinks maybe the state should negotiate for a piece of the action.

In general, I don't believe that gambling money is as good a deal as it's made out to be.

I don't believe as much of it is "new" money as folks like to claim. A lot of it is money that tourists -- or Floridians -- would have spent on something else.

Secondly, an expanded gambling culture has many offsetting costs, hidden and otherwise. Those costs include associated crime, addiction, and emphasis on the wrong values.

Thirdly, history shows that gambling revenue tends to replace tax revenue, instead of adding to it. The Florida Lottery's claim that it "helps" education is a perfect example. After we got the Lottery, we just reduced the share of the rest of the state's revenues that went to schools.

There's no such thing as "free" money. But we sure like to think so. We would rather do almost anything than pay taxes.

So, sure, let's have Vegas-style gambling. Let's shoot craps and play roulette and blackjack. I'm all for it.

But spare us the justifications that it's for "economic development" or "good for education" or any of that stuff.

Some say that the speaker of the state House, Marco Rubio, is just sucking up to social conservatives by being opposed to expanded gambling. But I have to say, if he is willing to stay opposed even in the fact of a $1.1-billion budget shortfall, at least there's some consistency there.

Comments

[Ron]

You're right Howard. It's coming to the Indian casino's, whether we like it or not, so we might as well grab a piece of the pie. I do hope, however, that it stops at the Indian casinos.

[Jennifer W]

Well I am rather uneducated on this one and I tend to take the low road in my opinion rather than my usual high road, but here's how I see it, in reference to your points:

1. No it's not new money, and people could have spent it on something else, but would they spend as much on something else? People are going to gamble whether it's legal or not so why not take the money and use it for something good? I feel a landslide of counter arguments coming from that...but no matter to me. Some people really are going to gamble no matter what. And they spend a lot of money doing it.

2. Yes it's addictive, it's hurtful, it's a wrong value. But it's not a small part of our culture--how many people have been diagnosed with "addictive personalities?" Smokers, drinkers, gamblers, and so on frequently go from one habit to the next. I know, I know, making it legal condones it, but my above comment still stands.

3. I hope that doesn't happen. That would be uncool. Just use the profits to pay off a few bills, then go on about your day up there in Tallahassee.

[Jennifer W]

Oh yeah, gotta remember that we the voters approved this whole gambling thing on the reservation during the last voting go-round. We as a state made it legal.

[Larry]

Right on Howard! Gambling should be legalized in Florida because adult persons should be allowed to decide for themselves if they wish to participate. It should not be legalized to cover a budget shortfall or generate revenue that will replace taxes. You are sooooo right about the Florida Lottery. The people of this great state were sold a bill of goods on that one and the educational system took it in the chops because of it. But none of those crooks are around any longer to answer for the debacle. Florida has a gambling history. Why should some gamblers be allowed to participate in what they like to gamble on and other gamblers be denied their game of choice by the state. Just doesn't sound fair. If slot maching gambling, or poker palace gambling, or roulette gambling, or craps gambling is bad, why is dog racing gabling, Indian casino gambling, horse race gambling and lottery gambling good? Think about it.

[Boo Boo]

I say lets roll the dice. I love to shoot craps. Will go every day or even every weekend? Heck no! I have bills and a mortgage. As long as it's "ADDED MONEY" not replaced money like the lottery scam. Not alot of people want to go to Vegas or Atlantic City in the winter. But they would love it here.

[Winston]

I agree with Jennifer, gambling is indicative of an addictive personality.

BUT, since I am, and have been addicted for years to alcohol and tobacco, let some other segment of society shoulder some of the responsibility we have carried for years.

If I remember correctly, cigarettes are about to be hit with a 90 cent-per-pack tax. Sure, let the gambling addicts fend off some of this.

BTW, how many of you are gas-guzzlers, your turn is next!

[Gil Lay]

Mega Casinos would force the mob owned cruise boat casinos out of business. Also illegal casinos, some of the dog tracks, even carnival game slot machines for prizes would lose busines and hopefully fold. At least the large casinos would be professionally managed and family friendly. After all Las Vegas has been a family destination for years.

[voxy]

ummmm okay, first of all who do we think owns the casinos? Mother Mary? The dog tracks are setting up to run the gambling. Check in to how the gambling licenses are awarded. The gambling will be right at the current sites.
Howard, Charlie is trying to paint this as an economic boon so that he can then 'eminent domain' people from their homes via 'public good'. That's what this is all about.
Oh and yes, Las Vegas is a place I would RUSH my family to.
I hope you're all very happy with what you get.
Does anyone remember WHY gambling was outlawed in the twenties?
I happen to own a very valuable property in the gambling district so that's where I'm going to make a heap of money but I still have an indication of what's right or wrong for my community.
Gambling is not family friendly. To suggest otherwise is ludicrous. I hardly think happy memories are being built by families dragging their kids off to vegas. Sad.

[John]

Voters already said they do not want expanded gaming in FL more than one time.