Argument for the Legalization of Gambling

I support the legalization of gambling in Texas, although I acknowledge the negative social aspects it could bring to our great state.

Even though I do support the legalization of gambling, I can admit the reasons to not put it to vote hold water. The major cons, to me, against gambling are the potential for addiction on a personal basis, and the fact that it might not even fix the budget problems, like advocates say it will. People with addictive personalities would be given easier access to one more vice, a vice with huge financial implications. In addition to that major social concern, there is the risk that legalized gambling would not fix our budget deficit. Just because an extra source of revenue is added doesn’t necessarily mean the state’s spending problems will be cured. The opposition to legalized gambling certainly has ground to stand on, and reason to fight.

The reason I support the legalization of gambling is because I think people should have the option to do what they want with their lives and money. Also, extra revenue has to come somewhere if we are to cover the deficit, and gambling provides that.

 People already have access to gambling if they have a car or the internet and a credit card. Drive just hours, and you can spend your life savings in Oklahoma or Louisiana. Type “online casino” in Google, and you will find a website based outside of the United States that you can gamble on. Building casinos would increase access to gambling and addiction, but there is already access and addiction. Choosing not to allow gambling here in Texas is not a deterrent to this certain behavior, merely a speed bump to the human will. Not to mention that addictions are readily available in the form of nicotine, alcohol and over-the-counter medicines. If we are to ban one potential addiction because it has the potential for personal destruction, it would be hypocritical to allow liquor stores and cigarettes and chewing tobacco to exist. I am a fan of the phrase “Live and let live,” and if people want to gamble, let it be their choice.

On the point of covering the budget deficit, any extra revenue is beneficial at this point. With no long term financial costs incurred by the state, adding an extra $1 billion or so a year can only help. What we really need to do is to cut back on spending. While legalizing gambling may not cure the budget problem, it would help.

In conclusion, the legalization of gambling may bring social costs, and it might not cure all of our financial troubles. However, I argue that it’s an individual’s right to spend money where and how they want, and the extra revenue added by casinos and gambling would go a long way to help with our budget deficit. 

-Ian Cannon

History of Gambling Push and Social Concerns

Legalizing gambling in Texas isn’t a new issue to legislative discussion. During times of economic hardship throughout our state’s history, the issue of expanding gaming laws has always been discussed, and, for the most part, shut down. Traditionally opposed to gaming expansion, Texas first expanded its gaming policy in 1986 to allow a vote for para-mutuel betting in a 1987 referendum. Simply put, this allowed for the creation of horse and dog tracks. Opponents of legalized gaming in Texas, specifically Texans Against Gambling, are quick to note that para-mutuel betting has not delivered the revenue its proponents promised. According to the Texans Against Gambling website, they view para-mutuel gambling as a “dismal failure.” In 1991, Texans again voted to allow the creation of the Texas Lottery. Since then, all initiatives to expand gaming in Texas have been shut down in Legislature.

The legalization of gambling may be a way to raise revenue streams, but on a personal level it can have devastating consequences. I have a family member, who lives in a state where gambling is legal, that struggled with gambling addiction. I was around 10 years old when it happened, so I wasn’t told the specifics of the situation, but from what I overheard and was told he lost somewhere around $50,000 over a 6 month time-span. It started with trips to casinos with friends, and over time evolved into him going alone to the casinos to try and regain what was lost. The situation almost tore his marriage apart, as well as his financial situation. He made the choice to start attending Gamblers Anonymous meetings, and save his marriage and family, and overcame his urges to gamble. Talking about it recently, he put it into perspective, in that “the thought of losing [his] family was 100 times worse than any amount [he] could lose while gambling,” which motivated him to stop. It has been over a decade since he last gambled, and is still happily married. This is not to say that everyone who gambles will become addicted, but there are some people with personality types that are more vulnerable to this sort of addiction.

For more information about the pros and cons to legalizing gambling in Texas, check out this link:  http://www.beaumontenterprise.com/default/article/PRO-CON-Should-Texas-Legislature-legalize-casino-747623.php

-Ian Cannon

Legalized Gambling in Texas Could Have Big Impact on Louisiana

According to Ross Ramsey, managing editor of the Texas Tribune, Louisiana would be significantly impacted by the legalization of gambling in Texas. Louisiana recorded $723.5 million in gambling revenue during 2009-10. The gaming control board writes in its annual report how significant the effect of legalized gambling in Texas would be on Louisiana, with $482.4 million in revenues collected from the Lake Charles market. The Lake Charles market, it is noted in the 2009-10 annual report, is frequented mainly by residents of the Houston-area. If a majority of gambling revenue is taken away from Louisiana, the “Support Education in Louisiana Fund,” where all the gambling revenue goes, will take a huge hit.

Another note of interest is that past history of the legalizing of gambling shows that during tough times, existing forms of gambling were pushed through successfully. Horse and Dog tracks, Bingos and the state Lottery system were all pushed through during hard times. It is likely another bill could make it through, as it is not a tax, the state needs money and slot machines can be shipped in rapidly, providing a quick revenue stream. However, there is still stiff opposition by Gov. Perry, republicans and moralists within the capital, so it will interesting to keep following this issue as the legislative session continues.

For more information on the topic, check out this link: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/25/us/politics/25ttramsey.html?src=twrhp

-Ian Cannon

Gambling again on the table in Austin

With the budget shortfall of $15-30 billion dollars in the state of Texas, the push for legalized gambling has come to the forefront of discussion this legislative session. While in the past legalized gambling in Texas was merely an idea, it has become a possibility in light of our recent economic problems.


The major pro to legalizing gambling in Texas is the economic benefit casinos and resorts could provide. With our current debt levels, this is tempting given the fact that the Republicans holding power are reluctant to raise taxes to cover the difference. There is talk about making Galveston a host to a gambling resort, which would help boost that area after it was devastated by Hurricane Ike a few years ago. With all the money that is spent by consumers on trips to Vegas and Louisiana every year, it could pump more money into local economies.

The major con to legalizing gambling in Texas would be the social concerns that gambling brings. Republican lawmakers are concerned that with the legalization of gambling, Texans could become addicted to gambling, and bankrupt themselves at casinos, which could lead to an increase in poverty.

For more information on the issue of legalized gambling in Texas, check out this article by Greg Groogan at myFox Houston.

http://www.myfoxhouston.com/dpp/news/politics/101221-is-more-gambling-coming-to-texas

-Ian Cannon