Gambling News by Gambling Headquarters

The introduction of legislation that will greatly expand gambling in the state has finally arrived, and I am firmly opposed to it. As a construction worker, I could possibly personally benefit from all the new construction. However, as a resident of the state, the cost to our social services will far outweigh any benefits. Our state lottery director is functioning as a paid lobbyist on behalf of the four racetracks and not as civil servant. And, several legislators seem more intent upon getting a "good price" rather than a good reason why we should even be considering this expansion. I see from the campaign expenditures in the last election that no one in the Cabell delegation took money from the gambling interests. Furthermore, not one tax dollar is likely to arrive in this county due to an expansion of tabletop gaming. Hence, it should be simple for both of our senators and all six of our delegates to stand united in their opposition to this issue. The lottery director projects annual revenue from this expansion to be in the neighborhood of $180 million gross profit. As a population of 1.8 million, these gaming interests view each citizen as an annual $100 dollar profit on this expansion alone. If I am to be seen only in terms of dollars and cents, I want my legislator to get something that will actually be of benefit to my way of life. I would propose that these gaming interests pay off our underfunded public employees and teachers pension plans as the price to get a license. Then we can begin to haggle over an appropriate percentage of the gross profits. This would prove that the tracks truly want to act as partners in the state.