2008 Woodie Awards
Casino gambling, you betcha
THE JAMBAR EDITORIAL BOARD
Issue date: 10/16/08 Section: Opinion
The issue of casino gambling in Ohio is being heatedly debated in a series of TV and radio ads.
Supporters claim that it will create 5,000 new jobs and raise tax revenue that will be distributed equally to all Ohio counties.
Opponents argue there is no guarantee that any money will get where it's supposed to go because of a loophole in the bill.
They also argue that gambling creates a set of social ills, mainly gambling addiction, that will harm the fabric of society.
These arguments miss the point.
Tax revenue is a secondary reason to support legalized gambling. The primary reason is that private development should be encouraged, not prohibited by government.
In a state where job losses have only just begun to take their toll, there is no excuse for turning our back on a major business that wants to locate in Ohio, bringing with it jobs and, potentially, out-of-state tourists who will pump money into our economy.
While people in Northeast Ohio may still find it more practical to travel to Mountaineer Casino Race Track and Resort in West Virginia than a venue in Columbus, the bottom line is that Mahoning County would receive money from a casino in Columbus, while receiving nothing from Mountaineer.
As a region trying to get back up on its feet, we shouldn't let the negative connotations surrounding gambling hinder economic improvement.
Detractors preach that gambling brings crime. However, high unemployment, which would be alleviated with casino jobs, also causes high crime.
With regard to gambling addiction becoming a problem, this is not the concern of government. There are many things that are available to citizens that can become harmful if abused. These include alcohol, certain foods and sun exposure.
It is up to individual citizens to exercise self-control, not the government to protect them from themselves.
This is a nation based on the notion of personal freedom, and personal responsibility goes hand-in-hand with that.
Supporters claim that it will create 5,000 new jobs and raise tax revenue that will be distributed equally to all Ohio counties.
Opponents argue there is no guarantee that any money will get where it's supposed to go because of a loophole in the bill.
They also argue that gambling creates a set of social ills, mainly gambling addiction, that will harm the fabric of society.
These arguments miss the point.
Tax revenue is a secondary reason to support legalized gambling. The primary reason is that private development should be encouraged, not prohibited by government.
In a state where job losses have only just begun to take their toll, there is no excuse for turning our back on a major business that wants to locate in Ohio, bringing with it jobs and, potentially, out-of-state tourists who will pump money into our economy.
While people in Northeast Ohio may still find it more practical to travel to Mountaineer Casino Race Track and Resort in West Virginia than a venue in Columbus, the bottom line is that Mahoning County would receive money from a casino in Columbus, while receiving nothing from Mountaineer.
As a region trying to get back up on its feet, we shouldn't let the negative connotations surrounding gambling hinder economic improvement.
Detractors preach that gambling brings crime. However, high unemployment, which would be alleviated with casino jobs, also causes high crime.
With regard to gambling addiction becoming a problem, this is not the concern of government. There are many things that are available to citizens that can become harmful if abused. These include alcohol, certain foods and sun exposure.
It is up to individual citizens to exercise self-control, not the government to protect them from themselves.
This is a nation based on the notion of personal freedom, and personal responsibility goes hand-in-hand with that.
Be the first to comment on this story