A tell-tale sign America's chips are down: States are increasingly turning to gambling to plug budget holes.

Proposals to allow or expand slots or casinos are percolating in at least 14 states, tempting legislators and governors at a time when many must decide between cutting services and raising taxes.

Gambling has hard-core detractors in every state, but when the budget-balancing alternatives lawmakers must consider include reducing education funding or lifting sales taxes, resistance is easier to overcome, political analysts said.

"Who wouldn't be interested if you're a politician who needs to fund programs?" said Bo Bernhard, director of research at the International Gaming Institute at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas — a government-funded program.

It is simply a hidden tax on the poor and it is fool's gold for policy makers. Makes the heart sad. Read it all.

Filed under: * Culture-Watch • Gambling • * Economics, Politics • Politics in General • State Government

1. robroy wrote: A vote for legalized gambling is a vote for increased violent crime, prostitution, drug abuse, and divorce. I personally have seen it ruin two communities. February 9, 9:51 am | [comment link]

2. DaveG wrote: Legalized gambling is a tax cut for those of us who refuse to participate in the activity but it carries a substantial societal price - seniors spending their social security checks at the casinos; parents diverting family resources needed for shelter and food to bells and whistles; encouragement of an ethic that “success” without effort. February 9, 10:35 am | [comment link]

3. Irenaeus wrote: State lawmakers bet gambling can help with budgets A sucker’s bet. February 9, 11:47 am | [comment link]

4. Clueless wrote: Legalized gambling is a tax on stupid people February 9, 4:56 pm | [comment link]

5. libraryjim wrote: As is the lottery, which was just expanded here in Florida to include the multi-state ‘powerball’. February 9, 5:51 pm | [comment link]

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