Opinion: States share blame for spread of gambling addictions

I understand it’s a personal decision to gamble; I also know the Indians shell out lots of dough for advertising and I understand that a shill cannot inform potential suckers about losing; but for every dollar the casinos pay out, at least 70 people lose their money. I mean, Sandia Casino grossed $91 million in the first 6 months of 2012 – whose cash was that, anyway?

In 2011, casinos and racinos in this state netted $973.8 million, the state deposited $130.2 million into the general fund. Out of that, 14 tribe-operated casinos had a net win of $713.9 million and paid the state $65.2 million (9.16 percent) in gambling taxes. The Indians pay nothing on winnings from their table games.

These gambling windfalls must be considered an added tax, which the state uses indiscriminately. This money would otherwise be spent in purchasing goods and services from businesses that employ many more people than do the casinos. This would raise the state’s gross domestic product and create more jobs.

Not to mention the ruined families and lives induced by gambling.