The States Roll the Dice on Gambling

Re “States, Tribes Put Gaming on the Table,” March 30: Citizens must understand that gambling revenue to states is a very poor substitute for a fair tax system to fully fund government. Gambling is an awkward and inefficient means of taxation, especially so because it disproportionately “taxes” poor people sadly addicted to chasing the American nightmare of getting more for less or something for nothing.

Taxpayers gleefully celebrate having averted the need to raise taxes thanks to gambling revenues -- but soon the ranks of “broken” gambling addicts will be standing in the welfare lines, adding to the tax burden while no longer contributing to the state’s revenue stream through their losses.

Good system of revenue generation? Not! Pleasant pastime? Not! State endorsement of social decay? Getting closer.

Bob Wetzel

Murphys, Calif.