My opposition to gambling isn't based on a religious belief. I think gambling is just a poor, destructive industry for a city, county or state to depend on. There may not be particulates spewed into the air from a smokestack or poisonous waste chemicals dumped into a river or stream, but gambling still is a dirty industry.

 

But I'm not too sure those of us who have opposed dog tracks and electronic gambling and casinos in Alabama haven't lost the battle. The Birmingham Race Course has tried to slip in all sorts of casino-style electronic games. Now, the track has the OK for instant racing parimutuel wagering machines that allow gamblers to bet on -- get this -- previously run horse races. Anything for a buck, right? And many people will gladly put up their hard-earned wages for a chance at a few thousand dollars, no matter how long the shot.
 

 

Maybe it wouldn't be such a big deal if only the wealthy gambled. They're used to winning and losing in the stock market, anyway. But track owners and bingo hall owners and back-woods casino owners know their customers are mostly poor people who are hoping for a miracle. Instead, those poor folks lose the rent money or the food money or the doctor money. They get hooked, get in deeper, become more desperate -- and the folks who own the tracks, bingo halls and back-woods casinos get richer off that desperation.

 

If our state is going to be stuck with this cold, dirty industry, let's at least slap on a high tax and give licenses to the highest bidders and those who are most responsible. And we must make certain there are services for those who become gambling addicts or destitute while pursuing the elusive big payoff.

 

If only those people who could afford to gamble showed up at the tracks and casinos, few people would be concerned. But the gambling bosses know they can't get rich just serving those who can afford to lose at the games. They have to scam poor people, or the scheme doesn't work.