Gambling

Gambling

Gambling, while it lowers taxes and creates jobs, it also causes addicts to lose money and therefore creates a higher crime rate. Gambling was a popular pastime in North America long before there was ever a United States. Playing cards and dice were brought over by both the British and the Dutch. By the end of the 17th century, just about every countryseat in colonial America had a lottery wheel. Cockfighting flourished throughout the countries, especially in the South. Bear Baiting was also a popular sport, but the Puritans banned it. (Ortiz 4)

Almost 100 years later gambling in the West gave gambling a second life. Early church leader struck down all forms of gambling and so in the East gambling for the most part died completely. Far from both government controls and moral interference of reform groups in the East, gambling became so popular in the West that Monte tables were often setup in the middle of the town. (Donovon 13)

During the late 1980s, and early 1990s, several states have tried to introduce sports betting, either as part of lottery, like sports pool, or as sports bookmaking. Never the less, the leader of the nation's sports integrity, including the National Basketball Association (NBA), the National Football League (NFL), and Major League Baseball (MLB), were concerned that the states, in their desperation to raise money, might begin to tie in sports betting with the lottery. Then the three sports teamed up to try to put a stop to this. First, they began to put strong pressure on state legislature not to induce sports betting. Second the sports industry also started lobbying Congress, and as a result, several bills have been introduced in the U.S. Congress to limit the growth of sports wagering, either as part of the lottery or as sports bookmaking. (Savage 18)

The rapid expansion of gambling across the United States has not been well received by all Americans. The failure of many gambling initiatives over the past few years indicates an opposition powerful enough to either influence state legislation allowing various forms of gambling in their state or to govern enough votes to defeat initiatives which would do the same thing. (Siebel 27)

Many who oppose gambling consider it morally or theologically wrong. The domestic violence and crime that might result from compulsive gambling could lead to the breakdown of the family and divorce. Gambling, especially the lotteries, contribute to the attitude that a person can get something for nothing, a belief many people consider particularly harmful to the nation's morality. The states, by administering the lotteries, have become party to this. By sanctioning gambling, government authorities have contributed to making gambling publicly acceptable.

Many opponents believe that government and community leaders have had a choice between money and morality and, in all too many cases, have chosen money. Not only have they degraded their own integrity, but they have also debased the values of their communities.(Donovon 45)

"Almost half of those surveyed by the Gallupp Poll thought betting on professional sports should be banned altogether."(Ortiz 90) About 12 percent of those interviewed had bet on professional sports at least once in the last year. Men, young people, people living in the city, those with the same college education, and those who Bet on sports, at casinos, and at racetracks were most likely have placed a sports bet in the last year. (Siegel 96)

The gambling industry is studying how to develop ways to allow Americans to wager using the Internet or cable television. Currently, it is illegal to gamble on the Internet because it violates the Interstate Wire Act.(Goddu B5)

Americans generally agree with the arguments supporting gambling, many of which are economic. Most Americans agreed that gambling "creates jobs and helps stimulate the local economy". "About 3 out of 5 will gamble anyway so we might as well make it legal and collect the money." said one California mayor.(Siebel 69)

In addition, a majority oppose to gambling.