Gambling has long been a debate in the United States, and particularly in Texas. The idea of legalizing gambling in Texas is not a new idea, and has often come up in the legislature for discussion. The split between those for and those against is nearly even. For many reasons, the creation of casinos and legalization of gambling could be very beneficial to the state. Casino gambling should be legalized in Texas because of the possibility of increasing state revenue, decline in illegal activities, and creation of jobs for the ever-growing population of Texas. Gambling in Texas dates back for decades. It has long been a pastime, and during that time has been illegal. The thrill of the game, as well as the idea of easily making money, appeals …show more content…
There are numerous illegal casinos running all over the State. Along with the fact that these casinos are illegal, some of the activities in association with it are often assumed to be illegal. Many believe casinos harbor illegal activities, but with the legalization of gambling, the finances of the casinos can be regulated more closely, as to avoid the transfer of funds towards illegal activities. Part of the problem is due to the “lax oversight by the state and local authorities [that] helps explain how casino gambling has become so common even in a state like Texas, which publicly and officially is keeping casinos out while quietly and unofficially allowing them to proliferate” (Fernandez, 1). With this increase in regulation, along with the states approval of casino gambling, the number of related crimes will plummet substantially. It can be argued that large sums of money can be deposited to casino owners with little to no suspicion of them being for anything other than to bet with, but if legalization occurred, records would be required and funds would be more closely watched. Tying back into the previous idea of increased revenue to the state, government owned casinos can be used to their benefit, and even privately owned casinos will be under taxation, whereas the current illegally ran businesses make profit without taxes, and without any benefit to the state. If legalized, casinos would no longer be a stereotypical …show more content…
With the building and running of a casino, architects, constructors, plumbers, electricians, managers, security, accountants, bartenders, waiters, service representatives, and so many more positions would open up. That is not including the number of businesses that would follow a grand opening, who would subsequently provide jobs in the area as well. The legalization of gambling leads to, “creating jobs, sometimes reducing unemployment and welfare payments, [per] the National Gambling Impact Study Commission concluded in 1999” (Francis, 1). With these numerous jobs, these towns unemployment rates would decrease, which in turn helps with poverty in surrounding locations. It has been shown that the societal benefits created by the job openings in towns would greatly outweigh the suspected social costs. Employment rates would rise, as well as the town’s overall income, which when taxed will further support the town and state. Along with the increasing revenue to the State, personal income will improve, which leads to localized spending, in turn profiting local businesses and the citizens of the surrounding
The second threat is many states are legalizing or planning to legalize commercial casino gambling. Unlike Native American casinos commercial casinos turn over a large share of their profit to the cities and states in taxes.
For years casino gambling was portrayed in the media and Hollywood as being associated with criminal activities and the mafia. Now with proper scrutiny and government regulations casino gambling has become a lucrative business, with casinos stock even trading on Wall Street. Casino gambling is an ever increasingly popular and legal activity in many states throughout the United States. “The term gambling or ‘gaming’ as the industry calls it, means any legalized form of wagering or betting conducted in a casino, on a riverboat, on an Indian reservation, or at any other location under the jurisdiction of the United States” (National Gambling Impact Study Commission Act). States that allow casino gambling benefit vastly by re-incorporating the taxation off of commerce gained from casinos and tourism associated with the casinos back into the state and local communities. Jobs created by casinos also have a positive impact on the economy in local communities surrounding casinos as well as, the states that legalize gambling. Texas, while allowing horse and dog racing, lottery, and charitable bingo, does not currently prohibit casino gambling. In this essay, I will provide the different reasons the State of Texas will benefit from legalizing casinos gambling. By not having casinos, Texas continues to lose valuable tax revenue that could be awarded to state and local government funded programs for example, education, public safety, economic development, and infrastructure improvements. With the increasing number of legal casinos in bordering states such as Louisiana, New Mexico, and Oklahoma, the loss of tourism and tax revenue is a growing concern for Texas. Passing legislation to allow casinos in the State of Texas will help fund ...
Ø Fahrenkopf Jr., F. (2002) Legalized Gambling Benefits Local Economies. Retrieved April 14, 2004 from Opposing Viewpoints database
Gambling is a controversial topic that causes many arguments for and against making a wager for any reason. The lottery has been a welcomed form of gambling in Texas since 1992, it is one of the biggest legalized forms of gambling in Texas. Although many citizens question, should all forms of gambling be legalized as a means to support public education? It should not be legalized because, expanding gambling to generate funds for education could negatively impact the social welfare of individuals and families. Also legalizing all forms of gambling could increase gambling addiction, and exploit the economically disadvantaged.
There are many reasons why people gamble and what the advantages and disadvantages are of risking your bank account on the roll of the dice or the luck of the draw. I originally set out to try and explain why people gamble, but I realized that gambling is just as much of a business or industry as anything else. I researched Foxwoods casino, in CT, and the business behind that. From there I will attempt to explain the “cause and effect” of gambling. Gambling has made much more sense to me now, and I hope it will do the same for you.
The Great Transformation From A Casino City To a Resort Destination Atlantic City is the place to gamble on the East Coast. Although this may initially seem to be a positive characteristic, it is evident that this destination has the capability to be so much more than it already is. This point of interest has the world’s first boardwalk, which opened in 1881, has 4 miles of hotels, amusements, and casinos. Atlantic City was originally a resort town, until 1978, when it changed into a gaming city. This popular day-trip destination had over 34 million visitors in 1998 alone. Despite this amazing statistic, along with the revenue that gambling brings in, many steps are being taken in order to further promote the expansion of this great city. The renovations and improvements being made to the Atlantic City Convention Center are already increasing the amount of money coming in. There is a great deal of other things to focus on in the Atlantic City region. In endorsing local attractions in this scenic area, and in shifting the target market of this spot, this city would change back into a resort destination. When most people think of Atlantic City, the first thing that comes to mind is the casino attractions that are available. With the city’s constant shuffle and excitement, gamblers from all over go there dreaming of a big win. Many people consider Atlantic City to be the “Las Vegas of the East Coast”. There are over 12 casinos, with one building as magnificent as the next. At any given second of the day, these hopefuls may have their lives changed in an instant with just one win. These casino hotels gain most of their income from gamblers. Casinos employ almost 49,000 people every year. This number should actually jump when the Marina District opens. Although Atlantic City prospers as a gambler’s paradise, many would love to show others just how much more Atlantic City really has to offer its tourists. The Atlantic City Convention Center, built in 1929, was renovated with $72 million in 1997. With the world’s largest pipe organ, everyone from the Beatles to Pavarotti has played there. It was designated a historic landmark in 1987. Conventions, trade shows, meetings, and public events of the greater Atlantic City area all take place here. When the renovation is finally completed, it will seat up to 12,000 people for special events.
Gambling... Who does not like to gamble? People play lotteries, bet on sport games or try their luck on slot machines with a thought to win some amount of money. In fact, this excitement for gambling can be seen even from early ages; for example, ancient Egyptians used to play dice in 2000 BC or the first casinos opened their doors to customers during the Greeco-Roman period ( Whittaker and Cushman 1 ). Nowadays casino industry is a large business in the United States that brings high revenues and offers various entertainment that attracts people from different areas. So just recently residents and visitors of Worcester, Wicomico and surrounding counties got a great opportunity to try themselves in a new Ocean Downs casino that came into operation couple months ago. Ocean Downs casino is an excellent benefit to the community that helps to improve the economic and social status of the county and also serves as a great entertainment for the adult population.
“Problem gambling, also known as gambling addiction or compulsive gambling, is defined as the urge to gamble despite harmful negative consequences or a desire to stop” (Northstar Problem Gambling Alliance 2015). Karen Frazier states, nearly 3 percent or 6 million adults and 500,000 teens meet the criteria for problem gambling (Frazier, 2015). Legalized Gambling has many positive aspects, and it should be noted that though a large number of citizens are considered “problem gamblers,” the majority of the population gambles causally and in moderation.
Gambling has been around since 2300 B.C. It has its positive and negative effects; it also has somewhat of a positive impact on the economy. It stimulates most communities by creating jobs and generates tax revenue for state and local governments. The gambling industry in “2002 and the commercial casino industry provided 350,000 jobs in the United States” (americangaming.org). Even though gambling can bring a lot of economic growth to the economy there is still an argument going on today whether it is a great choice to legalize it everywhere.
The adrenaline-rushing feeling of gambling offers people the idea that opportunity lies within their hands. Unfortunately, there are far too many consequences to gambling to even begin to count. To win you must play, and to win big you must play big. As more gamblers can recall their losses rather than their winnings, gamblers are often dealt with poor hands and must play the risky game to stay alive. Even though gambling has so many faults, some still fall under its corruptions because of gambling’s deceiving fallacies.
Should Gambling Be Legalized? Over the past twenty or so years, great wealth and improved economic and social conditions have been promised to the communities that have embraced legalized gambling. However, with twenty years of experience it is time to. look back and analyze whether this is true or not.
In Ronald Dworkin's famous paper ‘What rights do we have” out of his many claims his most compelling argument is that there’s no general right to liberty. Dworkin believes that we have a right to some freedoms that he labels as "basic" but not a general right to liberty itself because a general right to liberty is a “misconception.” He believes liberty is misguided because the values implied in the word liberty creates a false sense of conflict between liberty and other important values such as equality. There’s tension between these two interests liberty and equality and if someone believes to have a right to something often it is seen as wrong for the government to deny it to the individual. Humans do not have this general right to freedom
Gambling addiction is an issue found in numerous areas where gambling is legal. People who are addicted to gambling, also know as problem gamblers, face many health risks including depression, suicidal thoughts, loss of sleep, loss of appetite, migraine and anxiety in addition to marriage breakdown, problems at work and bankruptcy (9). About 2 percent of adults are thought to be problem gamblers (1). In today’s society this costly addiction is not often considered to be a common problem among those who gamble. Only a small amount of states in the U.S. give enough attention toward this rising problem of people that are sometimes even willing to commit crimes just to aid their addiction. In the past our government has sought out a few solutions that help those who have developed an addiction and prevent a further increase in the number of people becoming addicted. Personally, my outlook on the problem is that it needs a better solution. I think that a higher funding to gambling addiction clinics, more ordinance and restriction laws, and more prevention and awareness programs should bee brought into consideration in order to lower the amount of people who become addict to gambling.
...bling, they are all are ok in limit until they are reached to the level of addiction. By supporting the casinos and state lotteries, I don’t believe the government is supporting pathological gambling, but instead they are supporting the entertainment that people have the choice to experience. The government provides enough services to people so that they don’t reach that pathological stage of gaming or at least provides enough support to help get out of that horrid stage.
In conclusion, many “house advantages” exist in gaming today which makes it unfair. Gaming overall has taken a great toll on American society. Recently, gambling has been made legal in several states nationwide, this will eventually cause more issues with economy and bankruptcies all across the nation. Many factors play a role in these bankruptcies, for example probability. Many people have suffered and will continue suffering from gambling. The new laws passed indirectly encourage citizens around the nation to gamble, which will cause many future problems for our nation.