RSS 2.0 FeedMassachusetts: Gambling Is Okay For Me, But Not For Thee
by Doug MataconisMassachusetts Governor Deval Patrick is pushing a bill that would open three resort casinos in the state at the same time that it imposes some of the toughest penalties in the nation for online gambling:
Even as Governor Deval Patrick seeks to license three resort casinos in Massachusetts, he hopes to clamp down on the explosion in Internet gambling by making it illegal for state residents to place a bet on line. He has proposed jail terms of up to two years and $25,000 fines for violators.
The provision, buried deep in Patrick’s bill to allow three casinos to the state, puts the governor at odds with a fellow Democrat: US Representative Barney Frank, the sponsor of federal legislation to license and regulate online gambling nationally. Yesterday Frank strongly criticized the governor’s plan to punish online gamers while inviting casino operators to set up shop.
“Why is gambling in a casino OK and gambling on the Internet is not?” Frank said. “He’s making a big mistake. He’s giving opponents an argument against him.”
Yea, but you know what they say — the government doesn’t like competition.
It always made me cringe when I would hear a Michigan Dept. of Public Health gambling addicts commercial followed by a commercial for the Michigan Lotto. Nice to see we aren’t the only state that can’t figure out whether gambling is good or not. (In Michigan’s case, even though you lose significantly more money to the lotto compared with casino games, at least your lost money is supporting the schools or so they always claimed. Place a bet, lose your money, allow them to teach your kid a valuable lesson.)
Comment by trumpetbob15 — November 13, 2007 @ 5:24 pmBarney Frank is right, but we really didn’t need the help. If ever there was an opportunity to use the term “Cui bono”, this has got to be it. I checked the dictionary to be sure, but the definition just back-linked to this story.
Anyone want to guess whether there is a specific constituency that might be interested in Governor Patrick’s bill?
I am shocked and dismayed (that last bit was typed sarcastically) at the possibility that some businesses might be trying to gain a competitive advantage over other businesses via the laws!
When people ask why I’m so opposed to laws enforcing “moral practices”, “level playing fields”, “indecent activity”, and “unfair competition”, I gleefully point them to stories like this one.
Thanks for posting it.
Comment by Akston — November 13, 2007 @ 8:46 pm