Casinos: The Maine Solution

Residents of Maine admit that their economy is lagging behind their neighboring states. Proposals are being drawn up to attract more tourists on their state of pine trees, blueberries and lush resorts. One of those proposals is to follow the footsteps of Las Vegas and New Jersey: Build a casino. But what would be the underlying effects? Let's weigh in the possibilities:

When you propose gambling, you would be met with quizzical looks. On one hand, you would see people agreeing with you; and on the other, you would be barraged by anti-protestors. Every gambling proposal is tempting to consider since it's a sure ball winner to get you a revenue. But legislators wring their hands when they see one, PR firms get ready to mix it up for debates, and the public anticipates a foray of opinions.

Mainers are seriously considering the option. But as conscience has it, many think that turning to gambling business is like making a deal with the devil. On the other hand, from a pure business perspective, gambling is the magic bean that can elevate Maine out of its sluggishness. Let's first explore the mindset of the anti-gambling group. To them, putting gambling on their state's heartland would corrupt its residents. You know the usual talk about gambling related problems such as crime, addiction, etc. One of Maine's neighbor, South Dakota, has been a gambling state for several years now. And they can't imagine bringing gambling to their homes. Gambling is something to be visited by, not invited in. They don't their landscapes to be somewhat scarred by glitzy lights and billboards; their serenity, to be disturbed by pop music overtures and traffic. That's not Maine, that's Connecticut!

Now let's go to the other side, those people who want to gamble at home. First of all, it's not about gambling. It's the revenue, casinos are putting in. Gambling business does bother some moralists like its contributing to addiction and broken homes. But, let's face it: Maine's economy is so poor that that in itself is contributing to the rise of crime, unemployment and broken homes. Actually, Mainers have money but it's going to other states like Connecticut because they are attracted there. Millions of dollars are lost in Maine every year because of this.

Truth of the matter is, as one Mainer says, "Maine needs help and it needs it fast", poverty is a bigger issue of immorality than letting it slide off because it contributing to a lesser evil.