BLOBBY'S BLOG

Compulsive Gambler

Casinos and Livestock Care Standards. Or as I call it - an off-season election. Nothing much going on.

Ohio has got to be one of the few states that does not have legalized gambling, unless you include lotto, megamillions thoroughbred racing, trotters and Pete Rose. Oh wait. That last one might not be legalized. Art Schlichter, then. What? Still not legal? Hmmmmm.

So for the umpteenth time in umpteen elections, once again "they" are trying to get gambling past in this great state. I'm never sure who "they" are. Maybe the four out of five dentists who recommend Trident gum. It probably will pass this time too - finally.

I only say finally so the ads will stop. I don't really care if we have casinos or not. I have gambled, but I'm not a gambler. I like roulette, but that's about it. I'm sure you've read about that here the few times I've been to Vegas. I'll play but the second I play a round where I win nothing, I stop.

On the plus side, I've never walked away with less than I've started. And there lies the problem with most people: they lose some and keep playing so they can 'break even'. It's a slippery slope. Ask Mr. Schlichter. Ask his bookie. Ask his parole officer or former wife.

Naturally, we're way behind the curve here. All bordering states, save Kentucky, have legalized gambling. So we're not drawing on these states to bus in the walker and oxygen tanked crowd (seriously, what is it with the infirmed that feel the need to gamble what little life savings they still have left?). They have their own casinos, why cross state lines to play the I Dream of Jeannie or Wheel of Fortune slot machine?

I will say, in 2008 when it was last up for a vote, I cast a 'yes', but only because the one casino was to be built in what is possibly the hardest hit town in Ohio - unemployment wise. This time around, that isn't the plan. The four biggest cities in the state will now get them. ..and while we have hard economic times everywhere in this state, I'm not sure these are the places that need the draw for folks to make livings.

I voted 'no' - but all the polls sound like it will pass. It'd be nice if they did something good for the state, but I'm not betting on it.


Song by: Sam Phillips