Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Gambling is big news these days in the St. Louis area.
Pinnacle’s River City Casino in Lemay is set to open its doors Thursday, bringing with it a new stream of revenue to St. Louis County and the state of Missouri. Who knows where the money will end up, but the casino is creating jobs and opportunity for many people.
The Missouri Gaming Commission is still trying to snatch the gambling license away from The President Casino, which is also owned by Pinnacle. Some say that if the commission is successful, the move will keep other gambling operations from looking at Missouri for expansion.
No, the problem is the successful referendum limiting the state to 13 casino licenses. That effort received sizeable support from Pinnacle. That could be a gamble that does not pay off for Pinnacle.
But the biggest recent news could be that Congressmen William Lacy Clay and Russ Carnahan are front and center in trying to get the U.S. Government to see what is obvious: online gambling is a part of our future.
As a result, they have joined Congressman Barney Frank (D-Mass) in taking on the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) of 2006.
Calling the UIGEA “an ostrich-head -in-the-sand approach” to Internet wagering, Clay, Carnahan and a few other congressmen won an early hand by convincing the Treasury Department to stop implementation of the act until it is discussed in Congress.
Carnahan called online gambling “the kind of thing that requires clear rules and regulations so that it functions well.”
"We should not be so naive to think that we are going to do away with gambling by passing that (UIGEA) law," Clay said.
It’s not so much about the rules and regulations as it is about the money. Who is going to operate Internet gambling in America? How will it be taxed? How will Joe and Jill Gambler get paid? How will their winnings be taxed?
Personally, I think Clay and Carnahan are on the right track. In fact, Missouri should become the Internet gambling capital of the world. We could be the cyberspace Las Vegas.
How much money are we talking here?
Clay cited a study by PriceWaterhouse that concluded the U.S. Government could rake in $42 billion in taxes over the next 10 years if Washington, D.C. became the nation’s largest online bookmaking operation.
Clay and Carnahan could be backing a winner, they deserve our support. But that support should come with the promise that Missouri is home to something like the National Internet Wagering Commission. This office does not need to be in Washington, D.C. or Las Vegas. It could be anywhere, including St. Louis.
This effort is also not about morality or how people live their lives. The discussion should not include people using their last dollars to gamble instead of buying food or fuel. People are going to gamble regardless of the UIEGA’s fate.
In fact, Americans are about to wager billions of dollars illegally and talk about for a month with no real fear of repercussion.
How many of you plan to fill out a NCAA men’s basketball tournament bracket? It might cost you a buck or $5 to play, and if you pick the most winners or amass the most points you’ll win some money.
This is just as illegal as calling a bookie on the phone and gambling on a football or basketball game.
How many of you own a “fantasy sports team” such as baseball or football? You’re the owner and the general manager. You put money in and if your team reaches the playoffs and/or wins the championship, you win a nice chunk of money.
This is against the law in every way, shape and form.
While bingo is a great way to raise money for churches and charitable organizations, paying for your card then jubilantly screaming “BINGO!” win you fill in that last letter/number could conceivably get you arrested.
How about the ever-popular 50/50 drawing? You buy tickets and you win half the pot if your number is called. This used to be called “playing the numbers.”
It is actually now called many things including Powerball and MegaMillions. It is legal, but its roots are quite against the law.
But just as the lottery has become a part of American society, so will Internet gambling. It’s just too much money to be turned away.
Whether it is blackjack, poker, horses, sports or casino games Americans would play and would pay plenty of taxes for the right to bet on these contests online.
Clay and Carnahan hail from a state that is struggling financially. Getting in early on the Internet gambling wave is a smart move.
Internet wagering is as close to a sure thing as there is in gambling. Missouri, for once, should help make the rules instead of waiting to see how the game is played.
Clay and Carnahan are trying to cash in early, and they have a winning hand. Let’s back their play.
Comments
Rune04 (anonymous) says...
Let's start with this: "But just as the lottery has become a part of American society, so will Internet gambling. It’s just too much money to be turned away."
Marajuana (sp?) has also become a part of American society. It is used by all groups of people from the poorest to the richest. Legalizing it would bring huge winfalls to the government. But is it the right thing to do?
March 3, 2010 at 6:55 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Rune04 (anonymous) says...
I have to admit that in my younger days I used marijuana. Maybe its not the smartest thing I have ever done in my life, but I will attest I would rather be working with a person smoking grass than one using alcohol. I would feel much safer. As far as restricting who could and could not use it legally, that would never work. Dicrimination cases would be generated by the thousands. Age limits would work, but not limit by occupations.
March 3, 2010 at 7:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
HeavyChevy (anonymous) says...
Except that Congressman Carnahan is knee-capping the new casino in his district with such a move. Internet gambling will kill the casinos and create another white-elephant eyesore in Lemay worse than the lead plant.
Trying to become the "Internet gambling capital of the world" whilst killing all your local gambling, is a sucker's bet. You know its not going to be Missouri. Its going to be Alaska or whatever state can afford to tax them the least.
March 3, 2010 at 10:05 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Rune04 (anonymous) says...
Alvin, you forgot to mention that Rep. Frank said that Americans ought to be free to spend their money however they like. Yes Alvin, as hard as it is to believe, he actually said it.
March 3, 2010 at 12:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SWBG (anonymous) says...
rune
putting restrictions on the use of marijuana would not be the responsibility of the government but by employers. not too many jobs where you can go to work drunk. would not want people going to work stoned either.
March 3, 2010 at 3:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Rune04 (anonymous) says...
SWBG, you're right, I wasn't even thinking of that. Thanks
March 4, 2010 at 10:33 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
nkasoff (anonymous) says...
> But is it the right thing to do?
Yes.
March 5, 2010 at 8:39 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
AlvinReid (anonymous) says...
Hi nkasoff, i recognize that name from the 'other' daily LOL! Welcome to The Globe.
And Kielman..
You must not go to the same Memphis I do. Not even counting Beale Street, Memphis' downtown is booming EVERY weekend and has activity on weekday nights.
I wrote a story for the STL American when I was there about that and said a key to Memphis' success downtown is the fact that there are cops - multiple - on every corner of Beale Street and the surrounding area. Cars don't broken into as often. peole feel safe if they have to walk a few blocks to their car.
In fact, they have an entire division dedicated to the entertainment district. Cops from all over the memphis region can pick up some OT by working weekend nights.
March 5, 2010 at 9:09 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Rune04 (anonymous) says...
Taking this one step further, what about prostitution? It's legal in Nevada like gambling. Maybe St. Louis could be the biggest in this industry. We could have "Bordello Row" where your every dream can come true? If we are going to make tax money off the backs of the gamblers, why not off the backs of the concubines? Going too far? But think of the money!!!! After all, that is what this all about. Right?
March 5, 2010 at 9:31 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )