- When Will Texas Legalize Gambling
- Will Texas Legalize Sports Gambling
- Will Texas Ever Legalize Gambling
- Will Texas Legalize Gambling
- When Did Texas Legalize Gambling
If we learned anything in the United States from prohibition, it was that making something illegal doesn't stop it from happening (and usually makes it worse). The history of gambling in the US is surely interesting and it's something we still have to fight for til this day.
- LUBBOCK, TX (KCBD) - A lawmaker in Texas is seeking to legalize gambling in the State of Texas. The bill, proposed by Sen. John Carona (R-Dallas) would open up 21 casinos and create a state-wide gaming commission.
- Texas Casino Bill Introduced, Would Permit 12 Destination Resort Venues. Posted on: March 6, 2019, 01:00h. Last updated on: March 6, 2019, 06:50h.
- Past efforts at legalizing casinos in Texas have failed largely through efforts of opposition by socially conservative groups such as Texas Values and the Texas Baptists Christian Life Commission.
The state governor is opposed to legalized sports betting, as are many state politicians. A two-thirds majority would be required to pass the bill in the Texas legislature. With numerous professional and college teams in a state of nearly 30 million people, the Lone Star State is a potentially large market for the sports betting industry.
I think that when it comes to so-called 'vices' in society, there's always going to be someone arguing against them from a moral standpoint. That's exactly what we saw in the 1930s in the days of prohibition. Huge numbers of people who argued against the legal sale of alcohol were primarily church goers who argued almost solely from a position of morality.
When they abuse it (or become full alcoholics), they can be violent and a drain on society.
So if we outlaw it, people will stop drinking! People who might have become alcoholics will be safe and protected from this evil scourge. Society as a whole will benefit.
This leaves out all the positive benefits of alcohol of course and assumes that the role of government is to protect people from themselves and restrict their freedoms, but honestly, that's a bit beside the point here.
Here's the real point—did it work? And would it work for gambling?
If you know anything about prohibition, you know that it didn't.
First of all, we can thank prohibition for organized crime in this country. Sure, there was organized crime before to a degree, but they really struggled for funding. When alcohol, which was and is hugely profitable and popular, was suddenly made illegal, the demand didn't disappear. If anything, it got worse.
There was profit to be made, but all legal alcohol producers were out of business. Some entrepreneurial criminals (who were already committing crimes anyway) say 'Gee, we should sell this stuff! Beats the heck out of beating people up for money and robbing banks.'
And they did. And they made an enormous amount of money.
Drinking didn't stop.
Were these men alcoholics? Certainly a handful may have been, but the vast majority were normal people like you and me.
They enjoyed their drinking, and they didn't like being told what to do. That's pretty much how you could describe the entire country.
You can apply the same line of thinking to any type of problem you name that's been made illegal. Making gambling illegal will absolutely not stop gambling.
Instead, it will drive gambling underground.
And that's where we start to run into problems.
1- People Are Going to Gamble Whether It's Legal or Not
Just like people were going to drink during prohibition despite it being illegal, people are going to gamble no matter what.
I think where people get really tripped up on this issue is that, in their eyes (the prohibitionists), gambling is basically evil (obviously it's not). But let's look through their eyes. They see gambling as a sin, and they often see it on the same level as murder or theft. It's wrong no matter how they look at it.
But for the average person, this is obviously flawed thinking. Murder and theft are crimes that have direct victims. It is impossible for me to steal something without there being a victim.
The same is not the case with gambling or drinking.
Now those who think it should be outlawed will argue that there are victims, that when someone gambles all their money away (which happens extremely rarely), that their families or friends are harmed. I certainly don't deny that.
The difference is that those victims are not happening in every case. In fact, people become victims so rarely that you have to wonder if it's really the gambling or alcohol that's responsible at all. Something like 2.6% of people in the U.S. have a problem gambling. That means that over 97% of people who gamble do so just fine, without creating victims.
So these people think that because victims are marginally possible that the practice should be outlawed completely? That's way different than theft or murder, which produces a victim in every case.
By that line of thinking, cars should be illegal. Most people don't know someone who has a problem gambling (because it's so rare), but almost everyone knows someone who has had their life changed because of a car wreck.
Then they might say, 'Well cars serve a purpose! Gambling doesn't. It's just a bunch of games.' First of all, I would argue that games serve a hugely positive purpose in society, but let's lay that aside for a moment. By this line of thinking, all sports should be illegal. Soccer can be dangerous. People drink too much at games. Sometimes there's even stampedes.
Yet where are the advocates to shut down soccer entirely? They're hard to find.
Gambling is absolutely a victimless crime. The people who are committing crimes who happen to also gamble are the ones responsible for the problems, not the gambling. If you take away the gambling, they'll find some outlet for their problems.
So because gambling is a victimless act (just like drinking), people aren't going to view it the same as theft or murder. They're going to partake anyway because they just don't feel bad about it (and they shouldn't!).
When Will Texas Legalize Gambling
Almost all adults can drink alcohol just fine and act responsibly. The same is true for gambling. Alcohol and gambling are not directly responsible for issues that problem gamblers or problem drinkers cause—the problem gamblers and problem drinkers are the problem.
1- People Are Going to Gamble Whether It's Legal or Not
Just like people were going to drink during prohibition despite it being illegal, people are going to gamble no matter what.
I think where people get really tripped up on this issue is that, in their eyes (the prohibitionists), gambling is basically evil (obviously it's not). But let's look through their eyes. They see gambling as a sin, and they often see it on the same level as murder or theft. It's wrong no matter how they look at it.
But for the average person, this is obviously flawed thinking. Murder and theft are crimes that have direct victims. It is impossible for me to steal something without there being a victim.
The same is not the case with gambling or drinking.
Now those who think it should be outlawed will argue that there are victims, that when someone gambles all their money away (which happens extremely rarely), that their families or friends are harmed. I certainly don't deny that.
The difference is that those victims are not happening in every case. In fact, people become victims so rarely that you have to wonder if it's really the gambling or alcohol that's responsible at all. Something like 2.6% of people in the U.S. have a problem gambling. That means that over 97% of people who gamble do so just fine, without creating victims.
So these people think that because victims are marginally possible that the practice should be outlawed completely? That's way different than theft or murder, which produces a victim in every case.
By that line of thinking, cars should be illegal. Most people don't know someone who has a problem gambling (because it's so rare), but almost everyone knows someone who has had their life changed because of a car wreck.
Then they might say, 'Well cars serve a purpose! Gambling doesn't. It's just a bunch of games.' First of all, I would argue that games serve a hugely positive purpose in society, but let's lay that aside for a moment. By this line of thinking, all sports should be illegal. Soccer can be dangerous. People drink too much at games. Sometimes there's even stampedes.
Yet where are the advocates to shut down soccer entirely? They're hard to find.
Gambling is absolutely a victimless crime. The people who are committing crimes who happen to also gamble are the ones responsible for the problems, not the gambling. If you take away the gambling, they'll find some outlet for their problems.
So because gambling is a victimless act (just like drinking), people aren't going to view it the same as theft or murder. They're going to partake anyway because they just don't feel bad about it (and they shouldn't!).
When Will Texas Legalize Gambling
Almost all adults can drink alcohol just fine and act responsibly. The same is true for gambling. Alcohol and gambling are not directly responsible for issues that problem gamblers or problem drinkers cause—the problem gamblers and problem drinkers are the problem.
2- Legalized Gambling Eliminates the Criminal Element (And Reduces It in Other Ways)
When prohibition took place back in the 1930s, alcohol began being created and distributed by criminals. No business could get away with it, and any that tried would have to have a large operation that would almost certainly get found out.
So what happened is that most alcohol was being produced by small numbers of people who had deep levels of trust with each other (or who operated completely alone). Their goal was to make money, and they did.
They weren't exactly worried about health standards.
This led to a number of problems. When alcohol was legal, there were standards and rules as to how it was made. If a business was selling alcohol that was low quality or actually poisoning people, they'd quickly go out of business, so that became rare. In fact, the best way to make money was to produce high quality alcohol, so suppliers employed people who had a great deal of experience.
When everything moved underground, two things happened. One was that alcohol became suddenly much more valuable (because it was in high demand with a low supply). The other was that all the people who knew how to create great alcohol weren't doing so because it was illegal.
High demand, high potential profit, and nobody around to make it who knew what they were doing.
Every criminal with even an inkling of how to produce alcohol now had a huge incentive to start producing the stuff. Many people died or went blind during prohibition because they drank low-quality alcohol.
That's what happens when something victimless is made illegal—criminals take over, and they reduce quality and cause harm.
The exact same thing would happen with gambling were it made completely illegal. It already does happen in states where gambling is illegal.
However, because it's illegal, it essentially has to be run by criminals. Casino owners and operators across the world are incredibly intelligent, high-functioning individuals who know how to run a business and value customer service. Land based or real money online casinos, just like any other product or service in the world, legal gambling is run at a high level of quality because business owners know quality leads to more money.
Underground gambling doesn't have this same mindset. First of all, you're dealing with criminals, so they're not worried about quality really at all. Second, they have a hard-to-find product. They don't need to have a high level of quality because they're the only show in town.
Third, because they're already criminals, they don't mind bringing other criminal elements along with them. Illegal gambling can be dangerous for precisely this reason. Many of the people willing to set up something illegal like this may be violent people or have other criminal intentions. They might just rob you and take your money.
And what could you do about it? Call the police? Hardly.
Making gambling illegal makes the activity so much more dangerous. Gambling today in states where it's legal is absolutely safe, fun, and of a high quality. The legality of it protects everyone and keeps the criminals occupied somewhere else.
Conclusion
I'll admit that there could be a number of other reasons why gambling should be legal, but I think these are 2 of the best.
Overall, it's time for lawmakers to dive into the reality that prohibiting gambling can do more bad than good.
Legalize Gambling In Texas
INTRODUCTION:
We have heard of stories where one pilot won lottery twice in a row. We have also heard of stories of greenhorn gamblers winning a thousand U.S. dollars worth in a one night casino stand. There are many advantages and disadvantages of setting up gambling joints. The following paragraphs discusses in detail the advantages and disadvantages of setting up a gambling joint.
BODY:
The article Gambling Industry Wins Big – social impact of gambling(Price, 1999)
Showed that our nation's gigantic growth of the gambling industry has resulted as an dominant and segregating force in American politics, even as the arguments of both side of the gambling issue strengthens about how legitimized gambling influences and even changes the pervading culture and society.
Evidently, there were only two states that twenty years ago that permitted similar gambling activities. But today, there are only three states that disallow gambling in their community. As proof, Two GOP governors with names of David Beasley in South Carolina and Fob James Jr.
in Alabama had been booted out of their job Last November because they rallied against for the lotteries and other kinds of wagering.
Many people think that gambling is an incurable cure to be given utmost care and time. Whereas, others think that gambling will be a legitimate business that must be given full support or an uncontrollable cancer. Gambling has divided the Republicans and Democrats into half. Research shows that Americans put to chance more than $600 billion annually in legal gambling operations. This represents an amount that is estimated to be $100 billion more than the average American budgets for food, according to industry figures and data from the Department of Commerce. In fact, the gambling industry's gross revenues totaled nearly $51 billion, up from $10.4 billion only 15 years. Furthermore, the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey projects that the betting on Super Bowl XXXIII last month may have reached $4 billion, not counting side bets and office pools.
Will Texas Legalize Sports Gambling
Furthermore, social conservative James Dobson, head of Colorado Springs-based Focus on the family ministry argues.'The epidemic that is sweeping the nation reflects the enormous power and influence that is held by the gambling kingpins' 'Because of their unlimited financial resources … they can influence elections dramatically and entice political leaders to obey many of their wishes.
Gambling makes money, It will make a big dent in terms of impacting Texas needs, i.e. education, shortfall, and health insurance for the uninsured. Many people want to set up gambling joints because they believe there is money in gambling. Statistically, there is more probability that a person will lose money than if a person will win money. If gambling will be allowed, then gambling money can be used to set up schools, contribute to the improvement of the state's roads, infrastructure, pay for shortfalls and insure some of the citizens. Gambling will also help give employment to show girls/boys, waiters, card dealers, gambling employees and others. There are many studies of gambling in Las Vegas, Atlantic City including the Mississippi River where River Boats park. And, gambling is legal on boats on the water but, not on the land so gambling is on party boats that float in the river but, don't move. Also, many states around Texas, OK, NM, and LA gladly take Texas money and gambling efforts. Gambling cities do make dollars in terms of taxes generated. These additional taxes will be used to build the roads, bridges and public facilities. Also, these will be used to build school buildings and other
It is also correct to assume that many people prefer to set up a gambling joint because there is money in gambling that will help fund the needs of Texas, set up education, pay shortfalls and provide for health insurance. .
Will Texas Ever Legalize Gambling
Many persons are opposed to the setting up of gambling joints for its bad influence. Putting up a gambling joint cost money. Also, crime does go up and welfare Transients to go the gambling towns. Furthermore, social crimes increase which include robbery, prostitution, alcoholism, illegal drugs and indebtedness. For emphasis, in the article If the government wants to stimulate the economy, it should outlaw gambling, a legal policy expert told a gathering of antigambling activists in the Christian Century Journal stated that the government should forbid gambling according to a the expert opinion of legal consultant as he spoke in a gathering of antigambling activists. For emphasis, John Kindt reiterated, professor of commerce and legal policy at the University of Illinois reiterated that 'Gambling is a catalyst for economic downturn,'
Will Texas Legalize Gambling
John Kindt proposed that gambling be made a criminal offense in order fro the 401(k) to return. This band will then divert the gambling investments into consumer spending. He further stated that in his speech in the annual meeting of the National Coalition Against Legalized Gambling and National Coalition Against Gambling Expansion last
September 27-29 in Arlington, Texas. As proof, John Kindt cited a 1999 report of the U.S. Gambling Commission connecting the increase of legalized gambling with the increase in addiction, bankruptcies and criminality. Consequently, the commission further advocated a suspension on gambling expansion and also the prohibition of 'convenience gambling' such as video-gambling machines in stores. These persons are right in opposing the setting up of gambling joints for there more net losses than net gains in gambling
There are many variables to consider whether to allow gambling joints in Texas State. For, the opportunity cost of gambling is that, the funds that will be use to set up gambling centers would have been used for setting up infrastructure and roads that would be conducive to opening of new and bigger businesses. Crime will increase because the many gambling losers may resort to crimes in order to have money to buy another casino token. Also, drinking will double as many of the gambling losers would drink while gambling. Many of the losers will have to undergo proper drug addition treatment. Also, property values will rise when gambling will proceed for many people will visit the gambling joints. Gambling will also increase the sales restaurants and night spots near the gambling areas. Many new hotels will crop up in order to serve the overnight sleeping needs of gamblers. Gasoline prices will rise because many cars will visit the Texas area and car rentals will increase because of the increase in gambling customers.
Based on the study of the Gambling in Las Vegas, There will a precipitation of more net losses than net gain in the net five, ten or fifteen yours.
Many people at first come, and then go all the way to Vegas and Atlantic City?
In the article No candidate opposes gambling Fort Worth Star-Telegram, JOHN MORITZ stated that in the 2006 governor's race that the principal sponsors of legalizing more gambling opportunities have felt that like they've been dealt a pretty strong hand. Republican incumbent Rick Perry has previously proposed allowing Texas' racetracks and Indian reservations to operate Las Vegas-style slot machines. So has Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn, who has been seen by many as is also running as an independent. Democrat Chris Bell stayed he's 'open' to casinos because the tax revenue could help pay for education and social services. And Kinky Friedman, the entertainer and novelist who's also running as independent, makes no bones about his enthusiasm for legalized casinos. He boasts that on his 'fact-finding missions to Las Vegas,' he often meets more Texans than he would at a suburban shopping center. 'We invented Texas Hold 'em, and we can't even play it here,' he has said repeatedly on the campaign trail. The tax revenue, he said, would be plowed into public education
CONCLUSION:
When Did Texas Legalize Gambling
Many people think that gambling is indeed an incurable cure to be given utmost care and time. Also, gambling will be a legitimate business that must be given full support or an uncontrollable cancer. Also, gambling has divided the house between the Republicans and Democrats.
There are many variables to be considered in deciding to allow a gambling joint to be set up in Texas State. For, the opportunity cost of gambling is that, the funds that will be use to set up gambling centers would have been used for setting up infrastructure and roads that would be conducive to opening of new and bigger businesses. Crime will also increase due to the many gambling losers may resort to crimes in order to have money to buy another casino token. Also, drinking will double as many of the gambling losers would drink while gambling. Many of the losers will have to undergo proper drug addition treatment.
In conclusion, there are more disadvantages than disadvantages of setting up a gambling joint in a peaceful community. It would be preferable for a major city like Texas with a population of over 320,000 to allow one casino only and that no slot machines will be operated. As a result, the excess money will go to Nevada and Louisiana that can be successfully be budgeted for good use in Texas. This will make both sides of the argument very happy.
REFERENCES:
Price, J. Gambling Industry Wins Big – social impact of gambling, Insight on the News, March 15, 1999
No author, If the government wants to stimulate the economy, it should outlaw gambling, a legal policy expert told a gathering of antigambling activists, Christian Century, Oct 9, 20002
Moritz, J., No candidate opposes gambling, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, October, 2006 by JOHN MORITZ
