Get the drift, gambling not a cure all – Kankakee Daily Journal

It has been long promoted as a way to help improve Illinois' bottom line. Problem is, it has not been successful.

We're talking about legal gambling, whether it be done by playing the lottery, visiting the casino or another method. These various forms of wagering have been around for years now, and were made lawful in large part because they were seen as a sure-fire way to inject big revenue into the state's coffers.

For the record, the lottery was introduced in 1974, casino gambling was voted into law in 1990, and gaming in local bars and restaurants was legalized in 2012.

What's happened since? While the last measure mentioned has helped prop up local governments, the state has continued to sink into financial disrepair, and now finds itself in the worst shape ever.

It is unfair to blame the situation purely on gambling revenue, or a lack thereof, as many factors have contributed to the mess.

But gambling clearly has not been a cure all, and you have to wonder how a current proposal to introduce six new casinos, including one in Chicago, will make any difference.

As reported by The Associated Press this week, the massive gambling expansion is part of the wide-ranging "grand bargain" to end Illinois' two-year deadlock over an annual spending plan. Although the grand bargain was derailed last week, the casinos plan did get the endorsement of the Senate.

Those legislators can remain hopeful if they choose, but this strategy has yet to prove effective. This goose has not laid a golden egg. Why would it now?

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Get the drift, gambling not a cure all - Kankakee Daily Journal