) (2003,p. A20). Vatz notes that those who gamble too much and suffer as a result have freely made that choice as "No force extrinsic to willpower forces people to gamble" (2003, p. A20).
Opponents also use the argument that African-Americans suffer "alleged disproportionate financial devastation" (Vatz and Weinberg, 2003) when organized gambling is legalized. They also, however, cite research that notes that "blacks actually are less likely to gamble than whites" (Vatz and Weinberg, 2003), although those who do gamble do so more often and lose more money. This leads opponents to claim that they suffer disproportionately from the "pathological" form of gambling; Vatz, as noted earlier, does not accept that there is pathology associated with the 'choice' to gamble, which would make moot the points concerning African-American gambling damage.
Benefits of legalizing organized gambling
Whether or not there is any truly psychological or pathological component in gambling (and Vatz makes a good case that there is not), there are positive societal effects of gambling, not least of which is the contribution it makes to the modern economy. For example, with dotcoms having plunged from their initial moneymaking heights, "The online gambling industry remains one of the Internet's few cash cows, with much of its success owed to an increase in demand from U.S. consumers" (Krebs, 2003).
Despite the efforts of various politicians, such as the Maryland Speaker of the House, to curb gambling in various states, the virtually untouchable Internet makes it possible for anyone, anywhere to gamble. Americans are responsible, globally, for most of the growth in online gambling. The U.S. General Accounting Office projected Internet gambling revenues at above $5 billion in 2003, "with 50 to 70% of that revenue from U.S. customers" (Krebs, 2003).
Other industries, too, are kept vibrant...
For example, New Mexico, without the "neon glitter of Nevada or the felt table haven on New Jersey's eastern boardwalk" (Lopez, 1991), has created a vibrant industry in the state, accounting for revenues and employment: "Horse racing offers New Mexicans the state's most popular form of gambling with thoroughbred and quarter horse racing at six race tracks" (Lopez, 1991).
In Wisconsin, politicians were looking at legalizing video poker machines because they "could be a nice jackpot for the state's revenue coffers" (Sheehan, 2001). It was estimated that taxing video poker machines in the state, even in the limited numbers seen as likely to be approved for installation, would "raise nearly $300 million per year I general-purpose revenue" according to one state legislator.
In view of the very strong possibility that gambling is not an addiction, but a choice -- and the United States was founded partially on the issue of freedom of choice -- and that fact that gambling both supports industries (and thereby people), and provides tax dollars for other governmental purposes, seems to be beyond equivocation that gambling could be anything but a positive force in society in the United States at this time.
Works Cited
Horn, Bernard P. "Is There a Cure for America's Gambling Addiction?" USA Today, 1997, May.
Krebs, Brian. "U.S. Internet Gambling Crackdown Sparks WTO Complaint; Caribbean Nation Charges that U.S. Policies Violate International Trade Accords" Washingtonpost.com, 2003, July 21.
Lopez, Walter K. "Legalized Gambling: Racing for Dollars." New Mexico Business Journal, 1991, Feb.
Sheehan, Tom. "Bill Would Tax Video Gambling Machines." La Crosse (WI) Tribune, 2001, June 05.
Vatz, Richard. "Compulsive Gambling Hyperbole." The Washington Times 27 Mar. 2003: A20.
Vatz, Richard and Lee S.…
