States Go All In, Expand Gambling to Plug the Budget
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) Faced with a drop in gambling revenue, many states are adding games, casinos and lotteries anything to keep profits rolling in.
State legislators insist they don't want to take advantage of anyone, but acknowledge their budgets are now dependent on gambling money.
The initiatives put the states in an awkward position asking recession-battered people to gamble more when they may be earning less. At the same time, states are cutting their spending for treating problem gamblers.
But officials say more gambling is better than more taxes. So at least 18 are now considering adding table games, tens of thousands of slot machines and lottery options.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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