In Maryland where gambling was legalized much earlier than in Indiana, the attorney, J. Joseph Curran has warned a number of times that the ultimate costs will outweigh the benefits of casino gambling. He backed his statement by Earl Grinols's studies that point to the following unfavorable gambling numbers: state economy is bound to loose $219 per adult, in comparison to $46 of proceeds together with tax revenues and new jobs.
Promises for great revenues should go hand in hand with the gambling addiction warnings. In the long run, the tax benefits will be engulfed by the increasing addiction ailments, crimes and imminent bankruptcies. The opponents emphasize the gambling costs saying that if ignored they will protrude only years later when it might be too late.
It seems after all that the odds are for gambling this year and the proponents are promising to keep the Indianapolis Colts in town once more gambling is infused in Downtown. The Republican House speaker, Brian Bosma had decided to vie against the proposed location, 150 yards of the Statehouse, chosen for the plantation of major casino. He expressed his indignation towards the proposal saying that it is the future of the states that is at stake here and putting casino in such proximity to the Statehouse and amidst the most family-friendly city is irresponsible.
At the end it is up to the General Assembly to find the means for measuring the costs of gambling vs. the profits it might generate. It should not be forgotten that the human lives cannot be measured in dollars.
|
| Source: gamblingsmart news writer
|
Sunday, 23 January 2005 |