Governor Ted Strickland (D-OH) has decided to expand the Ohio Lottery Commission and permit slot machines at seven of the state’s horse tracks. Strickland conceded to his previous stances against slot machines, because budget-cutting efforts were not enough to close the $3.2 billion deficit. The Governor made every attempt to preserve vital programs, such as education, but decided that gambling expansion is the only way to make end meet in an uncertain economy. However, relying on slots is no sure bet.
The standard arguments are subjective, but worth thinking about as well. It is true that many habitual gamblers repeated wager fund they do not have in search of hitting it big. Proponents often claim that the expansion of social programs dealing with problem gamblers far exceeds whatever revenue the government receives from licensing and taxes. Society will not improve, or stabilize, with increased reliance on gambling profits.
Further, effects of destination casinos will carry beyond the tables and slots. Resort locations, undeniably, attempt to provide for every need or want of their guests. Restaurants, shops, boutiques, and area attractions around a casino will not benefit from increased traffic, but will actually experience adverse effects from the economic vacuum. For local shop owners, do not rely on destination-oriented traffic to bolster sales. Passers-by will do just that… keep passing by.
Personally, I am not against gambling or casinos. I think arguments such as increased crime and problem gambling can be somewhat inflated, depending on which report you read. I am against, however, the state monopolizing sole control over the industry, and I am certainly against the government and localities relying on gambling revenue for economic development and stable income. As long as gambling is seen as a portion of the entertainment and commodity industry, and unstable as such, then I think revenue can be a beneficial supplement to the budget.
Therefore, Governor Strickland, in my opinion, is acting irresponsibly in placing so much emphasis on flimsy gambling revenues to balance the budget. Not only is he refusing to let the voters decide, he conveniently misplaces 20 years of memories that say Ohio voters have turned down gambling referendums on 4 occasions. When times are tough, the budget must be cut… not establish precedent that threatens bigger government relying on profits that cannot be relied upon.
Gambling is not good \\Economic Development
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