There are a whole bunch of folks here in Pa that do not want the Gov to legalize video poker. And each one has its own agenda.
There are the casino operators who are projecting a loss of business if the Legislature makes it legal for the thousands of bars and restaurants who own liquor licenses to put up to 5 video poker machines in their businesses. Of course, as part of the casinos $50 million license fee, there is a clause that could help them get that fee back if the state puts them into a position to lose money. Which would put a hurting on the Commonwealth to make money off of video poker, unless they give the casinos something else in return. Like table games, but that is a story for another day.
Then there are the folks who worry about the overall cost of video poker to the state. They claim that video poker puts gambling in the face of folks who might not be able to afford it. Who might not be able to gamble responsibly. The cost here is of the human kind. Families broken up, homes lost, jobs lost, people destroyed. The groups that tout this litany talk about the increased crime, the increased cost of police protection, social service cost, etc. And this can be a huge cost, but don’t we already deal with this cost?
In 2007 Pennsylvania had 1491 deaths due to drunk driving. The same year there were over 15,000 DUI arrests. Alcohol, it can be argued, and its effect on people can result in the same drain on the family, and on the state. And yet we embrace alcohol. We love alcohol.
Hmm. Am I missing something here?
