When the State Plays the Numbers 1
I have always had problems with basing the polity’s budget on gambling. This pretty much sums up why. From Philadelphia City Paper:
As I walked past the glowing machines, I saw a strange sight: A man, maybe in his 60s, had gotten off his stool and was standing between two machines in a kind of half-squat, his arms banging the buttons on either side like two flippers. As the reels spun, he stared between the machines, at nothing.
The night before, I had gotten a call from Les Bernal, executive director of Stop Predatory Gambling, which he runs out of his kitchen. I told him I’d be going to Harrah’s Chester the following day.
“Tell me this,” he said. “The gambling industry talks about slot machines as being entertainment, as being fun. Tell me if anybody you see looks like they’re having fun.”
He was right. There were a few exceptions — a couple talking while they played, for example — but most of the players in that vast room sat alone at their machines, smoking and tapping buttons, their faces blank.
January 15, 2009 at 11:00 am
How about when Congress plays the numbers. I saw something yesterday that said they were planning on using increased taxes on tobacco to pay for the SCHIP expansion. Even though fewer people are smoking now. If that is their plan, they need to find something else to tax. Like booze. Or the gas guzzler trucks & SUVs. Something that could make up the cost.
I did see on the news that in hopes of bringing in more gamblers, Cripple Creek has approved $100.00 single betting & brought in the dice games. And the wheel, I think. (I’m not sure of the names, much less how to spell them.)And they are going to be open 24 hours. The state as well as community colleges are going to get some of that pie. Doesn’t matter than fewer people are gambling now. Central City & Blackhawk are probably going to follow suit.