GAMBLING-a blessing or a curse?

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/politics/bal-te.md.poll16jan16,0,3241445.story

Written in mid-January of 2008, the 5 year-long issue continues: Should Maryland allow slots? Governor Martin O’Malley, who professes a personal ambivalence about state-sanctioned gambling, has persuaded the General Assembly to let voters settle the issue. Rising taxes and food costs have strained local incomes, driving many to support gambling and slots rather than higher taxes. As a Maryland resident, I also do not like seeing money leave the state and head north to Delaware, West Virginia, and Atlantic City. Those states are benefitting immensely and bringing in millions a year which go towards public schools, healthcare, and infrastructure throughout the state.
While slots supporters outnumbered opponents in all regions except Western Maryland, only 32 percent of poll respondents said they favor spending state money on the horseracing industry; 56 percent were opposed. Horseracing is a Maryland tradition and slots would help preserve the state’s equestrian culture by giving as much as $100 million a year to the struggling horse industry.
On the other hand, there are valid concerns of the disadvantages and worries to state-sanctioned slots. One woman preferred higher taxes to slot machines, out of concern that some people might become addicted to slots and neglect their families. In high school, I did a whole project on the effects of gambling. Compulsive gambling, addiction, neglect of responsibilities, insurance fraud, an increase in drug use and violence, spousal abuse, increased rate of theft, and many others were correlated with the legalization of gambling. Problem gambling can strain one’s relationships; interfere with responsibilities at home and work, and lead to financial catastrophe.

Please see video for Pro-Gambling Propaganda:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNHkX-yoc-M