Jack Markell is ready to legalize sports betting in Delaware. The ramifications across the political

Jack Markell is ready to legalize sports betting in Delaware. The ramifications across the political landscape could be significant.

sports.espn.go.com

Markell's proposal calls for a statewide sports lottery that only allows parlay bets. In a parlay, gamblers have to get two bets right in order to win. It's an idea that has been brewing in Delaware for a while, long before the economy imploded and the state found itself with a budget shortfall of $700M.

(visit the link for the full news article)


Related News Links:
www.delawareonline.com
keithyp.blogspot.com

My Comments

Okay. I live in the small state of Delaware so this might not be big news to all the rest of the U.S. but this is definitely BIG news for me.

Essentially what the presented article says to me is that Jack Markell is willing to exploit the citizens of Delaware, due to the lucrative habits of the gambling addicts. Unfortunately, this is only half of the new tactics and strategies to exploit the addicted citizens. He is also proposing a "Tax Hike" on cigarettes, alcohol beverages, utility, income taxes, etc. Furthermore, he proposes a 8% cut in state jobs. I hope that includes himself as well!

*Sorry. Could not find a link to a source on the internet for the "Tax Hike" specifics. Will do as soon as I find one.*

Sports betting, additional casinos and higher taxes on profits would bring in an extra $50 million to $100 million annually, Markell said.

www.delawareonline.com...

So basically, from what I get out of it, is that the gamblers who have losing bets end up bringing in the new state money. LOTS OF IT! This is truly disconcerting and seems "unethical". I mean why doesn't the state just sell cookies like the girl scout troops?!

What is next? Joining Rhode Island and and Nevada in the prostitution ring in the name of "Creating jobs for Delaware's Citizens".

There is obviously more to this "eliminating the $700 million dollar hole" and I will not delve into here since off topic.

In addition:

I am not sure if anyone else has noticed in their states that the police have been rampant with writing tickets and bringing in as much revenue as possible via traffic laws. Should they sell some girl scout cookies as well instead of "stealing" money from us citizens?

sports.espn.go.com
(visit the link for the full news article)

Can this be a trend for the rest of states? To continue to compete for attention via gambling and God only knows what else....

[edit on 20-3-2009 by Unlimitedpossibilities]

reply to post by Unlimitedpossibilities


UP, I think legalized gambling will eventually be throughout the country. Why should Delaware's degenerates be leaving their money in Vegas? I know that sounds callas but such is gambling and politics.

Delaware is not so different from other states in this matter. This is like churches running "Bingo" once the collections have withered. States migrate to gambling and lotto as quick fixes. There will be well advertised benefits at first to prove the move effective and over the course of a few years criminal politicians will divert the funds earmarked for state projects.

Delaware politics have lead the way in the past when it came to quick fixes via taking advantage of the unwise. There are the credit card companies of which I'm certain you're acquainted.

Wilmington, Delaware experienced the loss of many jobs after World War II, mostly due to it becoming less utilized as a shipping location. To address this matter, the state legislators sought a way to bring new business into the state, starting in the late 1970s. Led primarily by the Governor Pierre DuPont, in the early 1980s, Delaware attempted to lure large banks away from New York and other large financial companies by dramatically redrafting tax laws for banking industries. Laws also changed to allow banks to charge any interest they wished on credit cards.

Several banks, among them Bank of America and Chase, were inspired by Wilmington’s flexible laws to relocate at least their credit card companies to Wilmington. The ability to charge more interest meant that they could offer credit to less credit-worthy customers. Though big banks moved their credit card companies, the response was even greater than DuPont at first estimated. Many smaller banks also set up shop in Wilmington, to take advantage of being able to charge much higher interest rates, while paying lower taxes on their profits. - Tricia Ellis-Christensen on wisegeek.com

Why Do So Many Credit Card Companies Have a Wilmington, Delaware Address?

Back to your gambling thread. You saw this coming earlier this year. Time marches on...

The Delaware legislature took the first step toward establishing sports gambling in the state, approving a bill early Friday morning that was opposed by every major sports league in the USA along with the NCAA. - A.J. Perez, USA TODAY, May 2009

That entire article:

Delaware House approves revised gambling bill

It's funny how much the NFL protests legalized sports gambling when a sizable chunk of the interest in that league derives from betting on the games legally or otherwise.

Those that provide access to mediate gambling make profit.

What is it about gambling that enthralls us so?