"I have long opposed the proliferation of gambling, but the time's come to give up. Let the state-approved slot machines multiply -- but also the online gambling sites, most of which happen to be (who cares anymore?) illegal.

The monopoly of gambling has become more immoral than the activity itself. Wherever a politician can deliver the right to virtually print money, corruption breeds. The most colorful example is lobbyist-crook Jack Abramoff, who made millions defrauding the tribes that hired him to guard their casino monopolies.

Either we let Americans gamble legally or we don't. The growth of gambling outlets has indeed led to a rise in bankruptcy, suicide, robbery, embezzlement, divorce and other social ills. And state governments fool no one when they fund counseling organizations for people brought low by gambling activities that the states themselves raise revenues from.

March Madness will be over in a few days, but the mad rush to carve out exclusive rights to milk the public is year-round. And remember: Half the proposals to curb gambling these days are really about protecting a gambling monopoly."

Get the Story:
Froma Harrop: Let a thousand casinos bloom (The Providence Journal 3/22)
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