"We've legalized pot, guns in bars, checking citizenship papers, and we're floating legislation to take medical care away from poor people. Opposition to a proposal to legalize gambling is running out of moral high ground in Arizona.

Freshman lawmaker Rep. John Fillmore, R-Apache Junction, proposed House Bill 2220, which would allow casino games at horse and dog tracks. The state is facing at least a $1 billion shortfall. The Arizona Republic reported that the Washington, D.C.,-based American Gaming Association says racetrack casinos nationwide generated $6.4 billion in revenue and $2.63 billion in taxes for state and local governments in 2009. Twelve states currently allow casino gaming at racetracks.

Every action, of course, has an equal and opposite reaction. The financial blow such a measure would deal to Arizona's reservation communities could be crippling. Terry Rambler, San Carlos Apache tribe chairman, spoke out at Tuesday's joint legislative session with the state's tribal governments: "Racinos have no place in Arizona.""

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Editorial: 'Racinos' could bring state much-needed revenue (The Prescott Daily Courier 1/21)