We’re a nation that loves betting. Why don’t we face it, tax it and profit from it?
That’s the argument being made by a New Jersey state senator challenging the federal ban on sports betting, which is in effect in all but four states.
“As Captain Renault said to Rick, ‘I’m shocked — shocked — to find that gambling is going on in here!,” Raymond Lesniak said Monday, using a famous line from Casablanca.
“Gambling is going on here, sports gambling,” Lesniak said. “Rather than supporting thousands of jobs, economic activity and tourism, the federal ban supports offshore operators and organized crime.”
Lesniak has a point. We already have lotteries in 43 states, casinos in 34 states. Then there’s the Internet gambling and illegal wagering the senator refers to.
Other proponents note the nation’s recession and tout gambling as a panacea for busted budgets. Think how many worthy social programs could be funded, they say, with taxes collected.
They have a point.
But let’s consider the effects of gambling on society, on individuals and on sport.
I know people who gamble rather responsibly. On the other hand, statistics show 15 million Americans show some sign of gambling addiction, and gambling among young people is on the rise. Is that a good thing? If it’s not, is legalizing sports betting going to make that situation better or worse?
Another question: Is gambling inherently a good — or at least neutral — activity? I mean, if you hear that your cousin Louise has gotten into gambling in a big way, do you think, “Hey, great — that girl’s going to be OK, after all.”?
If Lesniak is such a Casablanca fan, he might recall the scene in which a desperate refugee is gambling away his last bit of money — with his and wife’s future hanging on the next spin of the roulette wheel.
Certain to lose, the couple are saved when Rick’s pity gets the better of him and he arranges for the refugee to win. Somehow, I doubt your typical sports book is going to show quite that level of compassion.
Then, let’s consider sport.
There’s a reason professional and collegiate leagues oppose overturning the ban: The fear of betting-fueled corruption — think the Black Sox scandal in baseball or the point-shaving scandals in college basketball — is quite real.
Finally, there’s the effect of betting on the culture of sport. There are negative aspects to sport and our idolization of it; I write about those often. But there are positive aspects, as well — such things as sacrifice, teamwork, sportsmanship, grace under pressure.
The more we bet on games, the more we turn sport into nothing more than a roll of the dice or a turn of the card.
And that would be a shame.
Contact Jim Gordon at gjames43@msn.com.
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