The Pros And Cons Of Legalized Gambling

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Legalized gambling shouldn’t be considered a controversial issue because 86% of Americans believe they have the right to gamble with their own money. Hence, the moral outrage against legalized gambling is primarily a function of the extreme religious right wing. One of their most influential crusaders has been William Bennett, who affected a number of government policies from within the Reagan and George H.W. Bush administration. For instance, while serving as Bush’s drug czar, he suggested that drug dealers should be beheaded. That kind of leadership prompted the Republican National Committee to offer him the position as their chairman with a salary of $125,000; although, he would’ve had to decline paid speaking or writing opportunities. Thus, Bennett declined the offer replying, “I didn’t take a vow of poverty.”
Instead, Bennett has made millions of dollars as the nation’s moral authority, including a number of books such as The Book of Virtue and The Moral Compass: Stories for a Life’s Journey. That’s why many of his followers were shocked to hear that Bennett had wagered millions of dollars of those
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On the other hand, one very powerful opponent to online gambling said, “It’s a train wreck, it’s a toxicity, it’s a cancer waiting to happen...” Those words came from someone with terribly transparent motives, Sheldon Adelson. Adelson supposedly opposes online gambling for “moral” reasons even though he became the 8th wealthiest person on the planet as a casino mogul. His underlying intentions should be clear to everyone as he has vowed to “spend whatever it takes” to stop online gambling. In fact, an op-ed by Michelle Minton from the Competitive Enterprise Institute should clear up any lingering doubts as to Adelson’s true motives. Minton noted how two of his casinos, the Venetian and the Palazzo, offer smartphone apps for sports

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