The casino debate has been suddenly rejuvenated, ...

The casino debate has been suddenly rejuvenated, following the April 14th, 2009 pronouncement by Senate President Therese Murray that expanded gambling in the State of Massachusetts will be a top priority issue for legislators in their pursuit for revenue sources this autumn. Murray’s announcement was not kindly accepted by many gaming opponents, following the concerns of addiction and social ills in the society that are increasingly being raised. The state will undoubtedly have a hard time striking a balance between the potential revenue from expanded gaming in the state and the opponents’ views. Being a critical economic as well as social issue, a careful analysis will be provided as to why gambling should be legalized and regulated.
So as to understand the current issues regarding casino gambling, it would be helpful to first appreciate the historical advancement of government policies and social positions toward gambling. Gambling in America has been a dramatic set of events since ancient times, with the people persistently, and increasingly, embracing it, in spite of the government attempts to end the activity. Legislation regarding gambling in for instance, 1388, in early English statutes was against gambling due to security reasons, and directed military men to avoid dice and other games to facilitate attentiveness when on duty. It is however important to note that gaming was not outlawed in early statutes, since people engaged in them especially during holidays such as Christmas. Gaming gained popularity in the 1600s after reputable persons made it a national pastime. When aristocrats started losing family estates in the 1700s, statutory reforms were enacted to regulate gambling, making an entry into more advanced gaming activities such as lotteries and charitable gaming in the New World. The commercial aspect of gambling was controversial even during the Revolutionary War, with professional gamblers becoming primary targets for antigambling laws. When gambling was legalized in the State of Nevada in 1869 following the reduction of gambling penalties by its legislature, this was a beginning of an era of regulated legalized gambling in the United States. Gambling activities such as card rooms, horse or dog racing and pull-tabs continue to be recognized in states. However, despite the continued popularization of gaming activities, it is of concern that by 2005, only eleven states had legalized commercial casino gambling (Morse and Goss 2-10)
Gambling is an activity that deserves undivided attention by policymakers and the entire society, following its significance to humanity. Thomas Jefferson’s recommendation of state-sponsored gambling following his examination of the useful public revenue that could be obtained from gambling activities has been viewed with criticism as well as approval. It is noteworthy to acknowledge that Jefferson was also not happy about its popularity in the United States, following the ...