your thoughts on gambling in georgia

[mei lan]

My interest was piqued by eym's post at pcom about the gambling issue in Georgia. I'm so libertarian, if people want to throw their money away, fine by me. I won't participate, but I really can't get too het up over it, either. As I said over there, my concerns would be the problems that come with gambling - organized crime, petty crime, poor property values, etc. (Atlantic City, et al). Of course the churches are gonna be all over it, but what is the Biblical basis for not allowing it? There isn't one. The best they can do is that the Bible says be a good steward of your money, and for people who don't believe, that wouldn't apply anyway. SO, if I were a legislator, I would be against it, but not because of any church pressure or whatever; I'd be against it because of the criminal element, etc. What are your thoughts?

 

[unionmom]

You have to wonder how churches could be against it when they do the whole bingo thing.

I would like to see horse racing in Georgia ... but I'm not a fan of the whole OTB thing.

Casinos ... I don't think we need to go into that market. Leave that to the Indian Reservations, AC, and Vegas.

 

[mei lan]

What is OTB? I've heard that before, and wondered...

 

[unionmom]

Off Track Betting ... betting locations away from the actual track.

(Ever see the Seinfeld episode where Kramer goes to a seedy looking shop to place a bet, watch the race, and then collect his money?)

 

[mei lan]

Oh. Thanks...that makes sense. Didn't see that Seinfeld episode, but if Kramer was involved, I'm sure it was hilarious.

 

[naturegirl]

This is where I differ from most republicans as well. If people want to waste their hard earned money, let them have at it. I grew up around the pony races in the Chicago area. Never went, never placed a bet and I lived three blocks from there. Parking could be a booger sometimes. I actually learned to drive in their ginormous parking lot.

I do like the idea of Casinos, it's a fun night out with friends (or your hubby). As long as you set a limit on what you're going to spend, sit me down in front of those one armed bandits, I'll have a blast. I love, love, love to play penny ante poker. It's so cold up North and Winter is so long, you find ways to entertain yourself. Every Saturday night one of "us sisters" would host a card night. Some times it was poker, some times pinochle and some times board games. It was cheap, the cousins got to play with each other and we didn't have to sit at home on those cold nights.

Unfortunately most serious gamblers really can't afford it and keep playing and playing hoping their horse, royal flush or 4 aces are finally going to make them rich.

I can see it generating income for the state, perhaps easing the tax burden on the people.

 

[mei lan]

I must be weird...I was bored to tears in the casinos I visited. The weirdest thing was seeing all these old people dressed in sweat suits sitting around pulling the levers and holding their buckets...they were ZOMBIES. No expression, no animation, no anything. It was creepy. This was in Vegas, which I HATED. I dunno...I'd much rather read a book.

 

[unionmom]

I must be weird...I was bored to tears in the casinos I visited. The weirdest thing was seeing all these old people dressed in sweat suits sitting around pulling the levers and holding their buckets...they were ZOMBIES. No expression, no animation, no anything. It was creepy. This was in Vegas, which I HATED. I dunno...I'd much rather read a book.

I've only been to Vegas once and the only slots I saw were the new credits machines. Seems to me that takes away so much of what made slots enjoyable for so many ... there is no coin dropping sound when you bet or when you win.

 

[Madea]

I have no personal desire to gamble. I rarely even play the lottery. I have friends that enjoy it and that's okay, I just find my entertainment elsewhere. I would hate to see the whole state become some sort of gambling hub, but my thoughts are more along the lines of potential criminal activity.

I don't understand the church/bingo comment. I don't really know any churches that do that. Although you can play at the local American Legion.

 

[mei lan]

I would hate to see the whole state become some sort of gambling hub, but my thoughts are more along the lines of potential criminal activity.

My thoughts exactly.

I don't understand the church/bingo comment. I don't really know any churches that do that.

I think it's more popular amongst Catholic churches up north.

 

[lotstodo]

Legalize it and tax it at 40%.

 

[ShoeDiva]

This is where I differ from most republicans as well. If people want to waste their hard earned money, let them have at it. I grew up around the pony races in the Chicago area. Never went, never placed a bet and I lived three blocks from there. Parking could be a booger sometimes. I actually learned to drive in their ginormous parking lot.

I do like the idea of Casinos, it's a fun night out with friends (or your hubby). As long as you set a limit on what you're going to spend, sit me down in front of those one armed bandits, I'll have a blast. I love, love, love to play penny ante poker. It's so cold up North and Winter is so long, you find ways to entertain yourself. Every Saturday night one of "us sisters" would host a card night. Some times it was poker, some times pinochle and some times board games. It was cheap, the cousins got to play with each other and we didn't have to sit at home on those cold nights.

Unfortunately most serious gamblers really can't afford it and keep playing and playing hoping their horse, royal flush or 4 aces are finally going to make them rich.

I can see it generating income for the state, perhaps easing the tax burden on the people.

I am with you on the entertainment value. I can spend $50 at the casino for a night out with my husband or a movie. I see no difference, but we are responsible and know when to stop.
I used to have girl poker nights and husbands family were/are huge card players. They play all kinds of card games I have no clue on how to play.
MeiLan - I love Vegas. The slots are fun, but the lights, the shows, the shopping!! We also like to hit the Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam and a few other things. We have not been in years, but we used to go often.

 

[dapandlap]

IMO the issue with gambling from a christian point of view would be that if someone resorts to gambling for monetary gain, then they would not be placing their faith in God to supply all of their needs.
NOW, let me say I do occasionally purchase a lottery ticket when the jackpots get really high, I justify the purchase with the comment to myself "well somebodys gonna win, it may as well be me".

 

[ShoeDiva]

IMO the issue with gambling from a christian point of view would be that if someone resorts to gambling for monetary gain, then they would not be placing their faith in God to supply all of their needs.
NOW, let me say I do occasionally purchase a lottery ticket when the jackpots get really high, I justify the purchase with the comment to myself "well somebodys gonna win, it may as well be me".

See that has never entered my mind. How many real people do that?

 

[Grey Colson]

The government should be the only institution that can sponsor legal gambling...

Can you tell I'm being sarcastic?

I voted against the lottery. Mainly because I don't like to stand behind goobers at Buddies who can't decide which tickets to buy. But since they made it legal for the state to run a gambling enterprise, then ANYONE should...

 

[dapandlap]

IMO the issue with gambling from a christian point of view would be that if someone resorts to gambling for monetary gain, then they would not be placing their faith in God to supply all of their needs.
NOW, let me say I do occasionally purchase a lottery ticket when the jackpots get really high, I justify the purchase with the comment to myself "well somebodys gonna win, it may as well be me".

See that has never entered my mind. How many real people do that?

Stand in line at a local convienent store and you may find folks who purchase tickets in hopes of hitting it big on a regular basis, as opposed to spending their money on more important things.

 

[unionmom]

IMO the issue with gambling from a christian point of view would be that if someone resorts to gambling for monetary gain, then they would not be placing their faith in God to supply all of their needs.
NOW, let me say I do occasionally purchase a lottery ticket when the jackpots get really high, I justify the purchase with the comment to myself "well somebodys gonna win, it may as well be me".

See that has never entered my mind. How many real people do that?

Stand in line at a local convienent store and you may find folks who purchase tickets in hopes of hitting it big on a regular basis, as opposed to spending their money on more important things.

I absolutely detest the stories of the person who spent their last $20 on lottery even though their kids had no food or whatever.

 

[mei lan]

I absolutely detest the stories of the person who spent their last $20 on lottery even though their kids had no food or whatever.

I once stood behind a lady who bought $56 worth of lottery tickets; she looked like a bag lady. I raised my eyebrows at the clerk, and he told me after she left that she spends that every week like clockwork. GAH!!!

 

[mei lan]

MeiLan - I love Vegas. The slots are fun, but the lights, the shows, the shopping!! We also like to hit the Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam and a few other things. We have not been in years, but we used to go often.

I have done the Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam...for those who haven't been, GO. It's utterly fascinating. And do the hardhat Dam Tour - worth every penny. One of the best things I've ever done.

RE: Vegas - see, I'm not much of a shopper (in person) and only so-so about shows. And since I don't enjoy gambling, that pretty much lets Vegas out for me.

 

[mei lan]

ALTHOUGH, I have always said if I ever lost my marbles enough to think I wanted to get married in Vegas, it'd be at the drive-through chapel sitting on the back of a convertible. With an Elvis impersonator standing beside singing. THAT would be so cheesy it would be classic.