quote:Faced with a drop in gambling revenue, states are adding games, considering new casinos and increasing lottery options - anything to keep their cut of the profits rolling in.
States are adamant that they don't want to take advantage of anyone, but with budgets in free-fall and tax increases a losing hand politically, lawmakers acknowledge they are dependent on gambling dollars.
And this:
quote:The idea of luring people to the craps tables when they are being battered by the recession is an awkward one for state governments - a point that has been raised by people who deal with the collateral damage from gambling.
The new blitz "makes gambling more enticing, makes people more curious," said Doug Billingsley, whose treatment center provides counseling for problem gamblers in Iowa.
In many states, the funds for helping problem gamblers have been cut sharply because of the budget problems.
Why should the government spend taxpayers' money to prevent problem gamblers from generating tax revenue? Anyone see a problem with this?