Saturday, March 04, 2006

Two decades ago, commercialized gambling existed in two states and today, various forms of gambling occupy 48 states but only Hawaii and Utah remain free of gambling. Americans spend more money on gambling than on recorded music, theme parks, video games, spectator sports and movie tickets combined. According to the survey in 2002, gamblers dropped $68.7 billion on pari-mutuel betting, sports wagers, lotteries, commercial and Indian casinos and charitable gambling outlets but during the past two years, slots at racetracks or racinos and Indian casinos have been two of the most aggressive gambling fronts. State budgets are facing an $80 billion combined deficit and easy racino money is enticing while Indian tribes across the nation are obtaining sovereignty and applying for Class III gambling licences. Read further...