Legalized Sports Betting is a Bad Bet
The state needs money, but if we pass sports betting to raise money it is a stone cold lock that four out of every 100 new gamblers created in this state will become addicts.
Are we really that morally bankrupt?
Studies show that sports betting is the type of legalized gambling most likely to hook young people.
Bottom Line: Whatever money the state brings in by being a party to this tax hike on the least among us will be going right back out in order to deal with the wrecked families and lives that are a direct byproduct of this “industry.”
Vowing to veto sports betting was Ruth Ann Minner‘s finest moment in office.
The bookies will be pissed.
Any time you depend on gambling as a revenue source, it’s a bad idea.
You can actually have the same argument over legalizing drugs.
Good point. Why not legalize drugs if we do this? Why not prostitution for that matter?
If this is a “free market” state why not allow the state to get it’s tax cut of these underground economy mainstays?
i agree with legalizing prostitution. enough money is spent arresting and booking and holding them. legalize it and make some money off them. require health checks, etc.
“Bottom Line: Whatever money the state brings in by being a party to this tax hike on the least among us will be going right back out in order to deal with the wrecked families and lives that are a direct byproduct of this “industry.””
You could say the same about alchohol. I didn’t see prohibition come into law when I became an alchoholic. Addictive behavior is not the responsibility of government to fix. Addictive behavior belongs to the addict. What makes alchohol so much more acceptable as a legalized form of possible addiction? I see no problem with legalized prostitution or drugs for that matter. Put a high enough price tag on either one and tax the shit out of it. Give the cigarette smokers a break from paying for government’s bad fiscal management.
Legalize all vices for adults, tax them, but use all the funds to educate against them and provide treatment for those who are addicted.
Governments should not be dependent on vice taxes for general funding.
Is there an addiction hotline for blogging?
If a man can use their back to make a living, why can’t a woman?
People who bet on sports will do so if it’s legal or not. I’m all for taking out the criminal element.
Vowing to veto sports betting was Ruth Ann Minner’s finest moment in office.
I liked the Smoking Ban. I love going out and come home not smelling like an ashtray.
I don’t see how legalizing sports betting immediately makes 4 out of 100 an addict. Maybe 4 out of 100 were addicted in the first place and used the legal system. Bookies don’t make money from sunshine.
It will also bring in money from outside of the state, and rehab the slot houses which are seeing lost revenue.
I need more of a reason than to protect people from their own lack of self control.
I need more of a reason than to protect people from their own lack of self control.
How about this. Gambling is just another tax on the uneducated, who mainly happen to be poor.
The lottery isn’t illegal. How is this different? the odds are at least better.
I’m against the lottery and I was against the slots. However, I do play the lotto once in awhile when I feel like giving money to the state.
I don’t understand how you differentiate types of gambling. Lotteries, slots, ponies, are all legal but sports betting isn’t. And of course there is no sports betting in Delaware right? I once heard Al Mascetti say the only reason there is a sports page in the WNJ is because of sports betting.
I’m with anonone on this one. Legalize it all! Tax it all! Set aside a percentage of the take for treatment. It’s a lot better than wasting police time on victimless crimes and tax dollars on locking up people who pose a threat to themselves, not society at large.
The most convincing case against sports betting is that it serves as a gateway wager for underage kids. It would be like pushers selling cocaine lollipops.
Legalize all vices for adults, tax them, but use all the funds to educate against them and provide treatment for those who are addicted.
Yes, look how well that worked for tobacco.
Sports betting is voluntary, unlike, say, income taxes.
I have never heard of a 14 year old with a gambling habit. Where would they get the money to make this addiction a reality? If they are still in high school, they have a workers permit that can be pulled by the parents.
The games you mention (aside from ponies maybe) prey on poor people.
Sports betting, like lotto, is a regressive tax on poor people.
Put in a casio with $500 craps tables and $50 – $100 poker tables and we’ll talk about the state making some money.
Sharon, you are an idiot.
And Jason, you have the reasoning ability of a 2-year-old.
Though I question Family Circle as a source (it’s probably better than Colossus of Rhodey). 😉
Watch this http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=1217463n
Sharon,
Go away you moron or at least do better that this:
“Sports betting is voluntary, unlike, say, income taxes.”
We get it. You hate paying your fair share. Off you go. Have a nice day retard.
Sharon wants to go back to 1890.
Under Bush the top 1% of earners got 3/4 ths of the total income growth.
People like Sharon think they should have gotten 4/4ths. Morons.
Oh, hell, Jason. I think if idiots want to waste their money gambling, then retards like you shouldn’t stop ’em. But then, I think most people should be allowed to make bad decisions as well as good ones.
Ok, now back to the 2-year-old’s idea of debate.
Oh, good God, Jason. You need some new talking points. Quit projecting.
I said “good day!”
J – go to DTR…Nelson is on this topic right now. Granted, he’s on the opposite end of your argument, but it’s a good conversation with his guest.
Alright Willy Wonka, we get it!
Yes, look how well that worked for tobacco.
States use tobacco taxes as general revenue. This is wrong. The state should not profit off of addictions and vice taxes.
The good news is that smoking has become socially unacceptable in many places, and we’re all breathing better in restaurants, bars and work areas.
Jason330 wrote I said “good day!”
: nemski chokes on sunflower seed :
Mike,
The stupid one-note-charlie-Republicans bring out the crazed Gene Wilder in me.
I said “good day!”
…
Alright Willy Wonka, we get it!
Oh damnnnn…she drank the fizzy fizz cola and contaminated your rant, didn’t she?
So many times on this blog all i can hear is old Livia Soprano – “oh, poor you” Drugs, alcohol, gambling, etc. are all voluntary activities. I have never heard of anyone get addicted to alcohol who never had a drink. And why do poor/uneducated people gamble? cause they are stupid.
The funny thing with the willy wonka response is its dead on. the kids all came in and did what they werent supposed to. willy weeded them out and in the end was left good old charlie, the one who played mostly by the rules. same as for those are addicted to anything. if you do something in moderation then you have no problem.
Well, the amusing part is that Delaware is so small you don’t have to go far to do this type of betting. On top of this, you already have a variety of gambling options; it’s not like this is a “gateway drug” or something. If people want to waste their money this way, then let ’em do it. If you don’t, then don’t. But, for God’s sake, stop feeling all morally superior because you don’t like it. You sound like the Prohibitionists.
Arthur,
Drugs, alcohol, gambling, etc. are all voluntary activities.
So is eating. And they are all heavily advertised and promoted.
And why do poor/uneducated people gamble? cause they are stupid.
And why do rich/educated people gamble? cause they are smart?
Why do people like “arthur” post inane comments? cause they’re….
anonone – so eating is an addictive behavior? uh, ok. the point is, anyone can be addicted to anything if they start something that is addictive. most people who gamble think of it as their retirement and life insurance. becuase its always ‘just one more time and i will hit it’ and yes, people who waste their time, money, health, etc addicted to gambling, drugs, alcohol are stupid.
I’m with you A1. The stock market is gambling and we see how well that’s worked out.
arthur:
Eating can be an addictive or compulsive behavior. So can not eating (see anorexia). My point is that addictive substances and behaviors should be legal but not promoted by or profited upon by the state unless the revenues are used exclusively to reduce the incidence of the addiction.
most people who gamble think of it as their retirement and life insurance.
How do you make this stuff up?
Rich and/or educated people have addiction and gambling problems, too, probably just as much as poor and/or uneducated people. Maybe more.
By the way, “rich” does not equal “smart” and “uneducated” does not equal “stupid” otherwise I’d have to infer that you are neither rich nor educated.
The most convincing case against sports betting is that it serves as a gateway wager for underage kids. It would be like pushers selling cocaine lollipops.
High School kids have been betting on Football and other sports in school forvever
A guy I know was Booking Football both pro and college at Conrad High School in the late 60’s early 70’s
The theroy that that we shouldn’t legalize sports betting because of the poor is short sighted at best. If someone wants to bet on football basketball hockey numbers what ever go to any bar in the city and if the local Bookie is not camped out at the end of the Bar the bartender knows how to find him
How often do you see a weekly football card circulated at work?
Prohibition does not work we have already tried that experiment and it failed miserably, That why the 21st Amendment
the War on Drugs is a failure Unfortunately a select few make money on that so we live with it
Illegal Gambling who makes the money?
Prohibition does not work
Netherlands has one of the lowest teenage drug usage rates in the EU.
…just sayin’.
UI,
The difference between honest financial markets (like the stock market) is that they are designed to go up in the long-term. Thus, a well-diversified portfolio will appreciate in the long-term.
In gambling, the odds are always with the house and gamblers will *always* lose their money in the long term.
Happy new year!
Andy is right on target. Why do newspapers print point spreads and injury reports? Do I care that Coastal Carolina is an 8 point favorite over Austin Peay or that the 3rd string tight end has been upgraded from doubtful to questionable?
Gambling is an epidemic already; you can find action in any high school or college corridor. Why not legalize it and have the state get a cut of the action? Those 4 compulsive gamblers-to-be will become addicted no matter what. The legality of an action or substance does not determine whether people become addicted.
Might as well have the state make the money and keep more non-violent gambling types out of jail.
I’m an agnostic on expanding betting opportunities, but will point out that kids get addicted to the Internet and their video games, and I don’t see a rush to make those illegal.
That said, I do agree with h and others that depending upon gambling as a stable source of state revenue is just plain stupid. Every other state out there is ready to compete for those dollars and gambling is apparently not recession-proof any more.
Delaware’s unique status as the only state allowed to have sports betting this side of the Mississippi, should be mentioned.
“In the United States, the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1994 makes illegal to operate a “betting, gambling or wagering scheme”, except for in the states of Delaware, Nevada, and Oregon.
I don’t expect it to move anyone’s argument one way or another, but when it comes to the bottom line, unlike other forms of gambling, surrounding states will NOT be able to react.
The revenue pumped in from out of state residents will be very real and can be counted on for the long haul.
Note: Plenty of states also “limit” amounts one can gamble and other restraints, which is one way to stem the heavy losses by individuals. I believe you can also ban in-state residents from gambling if you want at the venues (would have to research that though).
I’m in agreement with the “tax it all” crowd and legalize everything. The problem with the way we (Delaware) are going about sports betting. If I’m not mistaken, you wouldn’t be able to gamble on one specific team (NFL) but it would be setup similar to an office pool where you have to pick all of the games. I just don’t think the extra money is there for that as opposed to everyone betting on or against the Eagles
No drug user or abuser looking for a personal amount of drugs could ever lose their family’s savings (unless the family is pretty much broke) on one “drug deal”. If this ever in fact could be the case, the consequences could not be disguised and the result would likely be that person’s rapid death by out-of-control drug abuse or overdosage.
Not the same can be said of gambling. I don’t know of any limits on gambling based on the amount of harm a loss (even in a single transaction) might do to that individual’s financial dependents or creditors.
With drug prohibition any contact with anything on the seemingly-endless list of scheduled drugs makes one a criminal, irrespective of one’s level of personal responsibility or even societal contribution(s).
The drug war is an outrageous waste of lives and money and resources that has never justified itself by any calculus. It is anathema to any notion of a free society based, above all, on individual liberty and personal physical autonomy.
Don’t know if you saw this New Year’s Day article. Our neighbors in Maryland are paying attention –
Free State slots face attack from eastern flank
Delaware ponders sports betting to counter gambling in surrounding states
http://www.gazette.net/stories/01012009/polinew133531_32477.shtml
Some key points in the article:
“In Delaware, the budget gap is projected to reach $560 million by fiscal 2010. Sports betting is expected to be a hot topic when the General Assembly convenes Jan. 13, a day before Maryland lawmakers begin their 90-day session in Annapolis. Delaware’s Gov.-elect Jack A. Markell has signaled that he will sign legislation to authorize wagering at tracks in Wilmington, Dover and Harrington, if the legislature passes it.”
“Still, the amount spent on sports gambling in Nevada has grown in each of the past five years, and the number of online sites has multiplied in recent years. Plus, Delaware could strike gold in an untapped sports betting market on the East Coast.”
Mark H is right –
“If approved, sports betting in Delaware will differ from that in Nevada. No straight bets on a single game or outcome may be placed. Only combination bets, known as parlays, can be wagered. They carry higher odds, but are more difficult to win.”
All we need in Delaware is another addiction with no treatment alternatives. Wrong headed thinkers on this one. Ask Gerry Fulcher what legalized gambling has done to Atlantic City.
TPN:
I agree with you completely: the war on drugs is a failure.
If we made drugs cheap and legal and then spent the money to discourage and educate (rather than incarcerate and punish) and also provide affordable addiction treatment, we’d be much better off. Crime would be way down.
Of course, this is not possible because of the judicial-penal-industrial complex which has a financial interest in keeping prison cells occupied.
I refuse to believe that poor, uneducated people are too stupid to make a decent decision about their own lives.
It seems like that is really the root defense against this, that the poor people are too dumb to take care of themselves, and don’t know what is better for them. Like masses of dumbasses are going to immediately take their Walmart paychecks and gamble them away on the Eagles (you said they are too dumb to know the difference) and leave the kids at home starving and deprived.
You cannot legislate stupidity, no matter how hard you try.
Thanks anonone. You point out the most despicable aspect of the drug war….the root of it all : more and more money for the prohibitionist meat grinder and all its little piggies.
To justify and continue this sustained assault on personal liberty and civil rights (centered around draconian imprisonment, criminal stigmatization, and the progressive militarization of law enforcement) because too many people now have a vested financial interest (whether direct or ancillary, whether in jobs, budgets, or corporate revenues) is just evil.
Look. It is not my opinion that state sponsored lotteries are a regressive tax on poor people, it is an established fact.
Poor people play lotteries and gamble. Rich people don’t.
Any speculation about why poor people support lotto schemes and slot parlors in disproportionate numbers is just that…mere speculation.
You do know that poor people were gambling before state-sponsored, lotteries, right? It was called playing the numbers. It was illegal (still is) and you can still do it, but that business has been really stepped on by the state — who started their own legal numbers racket and made some money on it. It doesn’t make it right, but it does make it their choice and unlike smoking, you don’t get second-hand effects. Everyone used to be up in arms over OTB and how poor people would spend all of their money there and never go to work.
Efforts to protect adult poor people from their choices is awfully paternalistic and, frankly, there are probably better uses of advocacy to help poor people in the long run.
Hear, hear Cassandra.
Okay. Maybe I’d be swayed if the gaming options were expanded to bring in some Greenville money.
Maybe I’d be swayed if the gaming options were expanded to bring in some Greenville money.
Scratch-off hedge funds?
Scratch-off hedge funds?
This is Classic!
There are gaming options that require more disposable income to seriously play — blackjack, poker and so on. No idea if you can require those games to have a min. $100 limit, but that would get you to the deep pockets, but you’d have to be able to compete with the bigger games in places like AC or Las Vegas (or Niagara Falls, Canada for that matter).
Years ago, Rich Davis insisted on having a set % of gaming revenues set aside for problem gamblers.
The same idea would hold true now. I guess I could adopt the liberal answer to gaming as they apply to abortion. The liberal answer to abortion is if you are against it don’t have one, same for gaming- if you don’t like it don’t do it.
Wow. Maria is on DTR right now agreeing with Jason on this. What’s next? Cats and Dogs creating Cogs and Dats?
A couple of posters seem to have it right. If the Government wants to outlaw gambling, they have to outlaw ALL gambling activities. No more State lotteries, no more charitable casino nights, no more Church bingo events etc.
The Gov’t cannot control gambling. People will always find a way to gamble even if it means tracking down a Bookie at your local bar or pool hall.
Keep it legal, tax it and enjoy the revenue.
Sports betting should be 100% legal in this country. Lottories are legal as well as betting on horse races. Is horse racing not a sport?
Sports betting in this country is already here. Why not keep the money in this country as opposed to sending it off shore?
Many will argue that gambling in itself is a vice. The same can be said for smoking an drinking. Prohibition has never worked in this country and never will.
Legalize sports gambling, tax it, create jos.
EVERYTHING SHOULD BE LEGALIZED ITS A FREE COUNTRY STOP BABYSITTING THE PEOPLE