Should gambling be legal?

[Rydawg5]

Yes, No?

Reason for and against?


I am torn, but I'd lean toward legalizing and taxing it. It goes on everywhere, might as well help the economy.

[tatbuck]

Isn't it already legal?

[keeperbeast1312]

Isnt it already legal? Is the state lottery not considered gambling?

[truck_fly]

Apparently it is only legal in Ohio if it is run by the state. I call that Socialism.

[Rydawg5]

I mean in the since like Las Vegas gambles. Betting on football games, online betting, etc

[swackhammer51]

Yes it should

[Shawnea_2]

It should be legal, because it is fun and it is MY MONEY!!

[hrspeedmerchant]

Apparently it is only legal in Ohio if it is run by the state. I call that Socialism.

I call it hypocrisy.

[BBQGuy]

All "morality" issues aside, what economic good will it do the state?

[HubbEagle10]

My names Carlo Gambino and i support all Gambling operations.

[fan_from_texas]

Apparently it is only legal in Ohio if it is run by the state. I call that Socialism.

I know; it just doesn't make any sense.

"Gambling is horrible, terrible, and ruins lives. It must be illegal. Unless we, your state representatives, have a monopoly on it and can charge monopoly rents. In that case, forget what we said previously; it should be legal."

Either it's harmful, or it isn't. If it's bad, I'm not convinced that having the state run it makes it any less harmful.

[daltrey]

If there's a lottery, there no reason there shouldn't be gambling on a larger scale.

It looks like Huddlers are almost unanimous on this one. 29-1 right now in favor of "yes."

[waldonator]

Gambling should be legal
Prostitution should be legal
Marijuana should be legal

And if you want, I will tell you why i think they should be legal.

[ytowngirlinfla]

Gambling should be legal. If people have problems with it, doesn't matter if it's illegal or legal they will still have those issues. So make it legal and just imagine how much money it'll bring in.

[hrspeedmerchant]

All "morality" issues aside, what economic good will it do the state?

How much is a good question, but it's inarguable that gambling produces jobs which in turn will stimulate the economy.

But put the economic issue aside now in favor of people just enjoying themselves by having a little fun.

[BBQGuy]

So make it legal and just imagine how much money it'll bring in.

Money from where?

[preacher]

let's hear it

[fan_from_texas]

Money from where?

From those who gamble the most, of course: the poors. And then we'll pay them back out the same money in social services.

[waldonator]

Everything that is already legal, people have issues with. The speed limit, abortion, hunting season, 21 to buy beer...

Might as well make gambling legal. How many states have legalized gambling? IMO we already have the lotto. You only have to be 18 for that, correct?
What's the difference if a 21 year old puts $50 on a few bets at the blackjack table?

[Goldengonzo]

It certainly should be legal, but I'm glad it's not. I'd lose too much money. :)

[queenctybuckeye]

From those who gamble the most, of course: the poors. And then we'll pay them back out the same money in social services.

I would argue that being surrounded by states with casino gambling, in large part they're getting the revenue and we already are bearing the largest part of the social costs.

[se-alum]

I think it should be legal, and I really don't care if people get addicted to it and lose everything they have!

[fan_from_texas]

I would argue that being surrounded by states with casino gambling, in large part they're getting the revenue and we already are bearing the largest part of the social costs.

That's probably true. So we have a race to the bottom so no one state has to bear all the costs of gambling.

[cougar_dad]

I don't like it, but why not get some tax dollars from it? It's kind of like Prohibition in the 20's - most people were drinking and the government didn't make a dime from it.

[LHSports]

Yes it should.

[dwccrew]

Why does the government feel the need to protect us from ourselves? If people want to gamble, that's their perogative and it doesn't hurt me. Legalize and collect the taxes. We have a state lotto and horse racing. Kind of hypocritical to say those are ok, but casino gambling is bad. If you look in detroit, the only decent area in that city is where the casinos are located. Many nice resturants and clubs around it as well. It would stimulate local economies. Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky and Pennsylvania all are bordering states with some form of casino gambling (land or riverboat), why have tax dollars go out of state?

Casinos will produce jobs from building and operating them; resturants and clubs will go up around them as an entertainment district. I'm from Toledo and I think a casino downtown would compliment 5/3 field and the Sports Arena they are building.

[Belly35]

Yes….but you have to have a credit check and or a back ground check and pay for a license ..that money (license) will go directly to the schools ..
Guideline of the credit check and back ground check should be determined if you can gamble……. We don’t want felony, bankrupt, unemployed and welfare people gambling their money away..

[dwccrew]

Yes….but you have to have a credit check and or a back ground check and pay for a license ..that money (license) will go directly to the schools ..
Guideline of the credit check and back ground check should be determined if you can gamble……. We don’t want felony, bankrupt, unemployed and welfare people gambling their money away..

More government control? i say let them gamble their money away, but also cut off their monthly checks. force them to get a job or be homeless. people need to be accountable for themselves, the government shouldn't have to babysit.

[MrTrackMski]

Various forms of it are already legal.

The State of OHIO is one of the biggest gamblers in the country. Try the horse track and then the Lotto! They allow BINGO, etc.

[ndhater]

Yes.

People are doing it everywhere and Casino's would generate a lot of jobs and help area business, no matter where you put them.

[hrspeedmerchant]

Like I said earlier, for the State of Ohio to oppose casino gambling is the epitomy of hypocrisy. How can our elected officials gleefully accept race track and lottery proceeds, but then strenuously object when it comes to other forms of gambling? It truly makes no sense.

[butleraviator83]

Yes, yes, yes!!!! I am all for the tax revenue that casinos bring to areas. I also want to see the income tax abolished by the Fair Tax!!!

[fan_from_texas]

Yes.

People are doing it everywhere and Casino's would generate a lot of jobs and help area business, no matter where you put them.

I don't think it would create jobs/businesses as much as it would redistribute. I mean, a casino isn't making a product; it isn't creating wealth from nowhere. It's just taking it from one group and moving it to another. If people are going to gamble, it's better to have them gamble in the state, but it's not really creating new jobs as much as it's stealing them from some other state employer.

[nphsbuckeye]

Yes, with no government regulation. If you're stupid enough to bet away your life's savings, you lose.

[the_claw]

It should be.

[trackandccrunner]

I would really like to have a Casino in Ohio then I wouldnt have to travel 2-3 hours to one :(.

[ragin_runner]

Being a state issue the people should decide ...and have...several times.

They can again if asked. Right now I say no, it should not be legal until the people choose for it to be.

[DGUtley]

Now that we've legalized Gambling in Ohio and have had several months of it, is anybody aware of any preceptible uptick in crime, prostitution, payday lendings, or anything negative related to the new casinos? I know it's early and I have no idea when these would start to appear but has anybody seen anything?

[buckeyedan]

DGUtley... would be hard to have data on that given two casinos have been open just a couple months...
third in October and fourth next year
anyway
as with most things... I'm fine with it being legal... just don't ask me to pay for it when it goes bad

[o.a.b.]

Gambling is a sin,whether it is legal or not.Someones fortune is anothers misfortune,no different than stealing.If you didn't earn it,it isn't yours

[BradleyJaguars]

Of course, it's not the role of government to protect us from ourselves. Its role here (at a state and local level) is one of oversight, to make sure the games aren't rigged. Beyond that, if people want to throw their money away, they most certainly should be allowed to.

[buckeyedan]

Gambling is a sin,whether it is legal or not.Someones fortune is anothers misfortune,no different than stealing.If you didn't earn it,it isn't yours

a sin?
based on what?

and how is it not earned? you risk the money and won?

Of course, it's not the role of government to protect us from ourselves. Its role here (at a state and local level) is one of oversight, to make sure the games aren't rigged. Beyond that, if people want to throw their money away, they most certainly should be allowed to.

do I have to pay for folks who go broke or will we let them starve (obviously not)

I think that becomes the issue to me - who pays for the losers?