PRISONER EXPRESS

If you stopped at a convenient store for a pack of Newport's and one of those iced tea raspberry concoctions, or whatever else, one would be captivated if they observed the vast majority of working people purchasing state lottery and scratching tickets.

Indeed, it is a subject worth mentioning. According to various experts on the economics of gambling, in the past thirty years, gambling has been booming in the US. The legalization of gaming has matured from being virtually restricted by enforceable limitations to one that is extremely commonplace. State and local government decisions have primarily dictated the development of legalizing gambling. Currently, Washington think tanks have posed this inquiry: Should there be a concerted effort to control the rapid growth of Internet gambling?

Estimates and studies by the industry's bookkeeper suggested that in US casinos, lotteries, pari-mutuels, legal bookmaking, charitable bingo, Indian reservations, and on the Internet, the 'gross annual wager' in 2003 was at $73 billion; that was the revenue of the gaming industry after deducting the gambler's winnings. Political clout has been relinquished by those conservatives debating that gambling is a moral issue. Today, the public debate on gambling is basically over its benefits and costs. Unfortunately, gambling is regarded as a legitimate component of entertainment, despite its immense negative societal effects

According to the experts on the economics of gambling, 2-3% of gamblers become addicted to it. One can only imagine the financial havoc created at home- as a result of their gambling habit- if they use rent, food, or mortgage money. Moreover, gambling increases the rate of crime (10% near new casinos) as some supplement their intense gambling addiction by robberies and other crimes. Gambling also constitutes an addition to bankruptcies. It is estimated that more than 5 million Americans are pathological or chronic gamblers, while 15 million more are at risk according to a National Gambling Study Commission. Interestingly, half of them reported visiting a casino in that time frame. On average, approximately $500 a year is spent on lottery and scratch tickets, with Blacks spending an astonishing twice as much as whites and men a significant more than their women counterparts.

According to experts, it is estimated that the creation of a lottery in a state adds about 10% to the overall growth in average income inequality in the state. That's tantamount to a state losing 2% of its manufacturing, a sector that ordinarily pays more than service jobs. Recent calculations have shown that new casinos had no effect on income inequality. What this reflects is the fact that poor people are less likely to indulge in gambling at casinos. They can buy lottery tickets with relative ease at gas stations or convenience stores.

In general, a state will dish out approximately half of lottery revenues in prizes. According to a census bureau report taken from last year, after commissions and administrative expenses, states had $15 billion left from proceeds to utilize for state programs. Supposedly, a portion of the lottery proceeds were earmarked for education by 24 states. However, don't be fooled! That benefit can be deceptive, especially when considering that a state could cut back on other educational spending from general revenues, offsetting the lottery profits.

Note: Portions of this report were selected from leading authorities and experts regarding the subject matter. As I am quite sure that most of you readers are familiar with hardships and the deplorable acts associated with gambling, I attempted to present another perspective on gambling: Where the money goes!