Opinion: Voter hypocrisy on gaming in Maine

Wednesday, November 14, 2007  

"It's time to take off our hats of hypocrisy.

We sponsor state lottery games but oppose slot machines.

We rake in $225 million a year from the Maine Lottery and wring our hands in worry that gambling preys on the poor.

We advertise the state's gambling games but worry that gambling will ruin Maine's image. Just imagine!

And yes, we allow a racino in Bangor but not in Washington County.

We claim the moral high ground against gambling and look the other way as we collect a tidy $50 million profit from the Maine Lottery.

What's the story? Is gambling bad or isn't it? Is it good when the state sponsors it but bad when it's offered in the halls of veterans or Indians?

Oh, sure, I ought not to get into the latest heart-breaking loss by the Passamaquoddy tribe. They almost won. But almost doesn't count in gambling. They were beaten by the house.

Let's make something clear on that vote. I do not think the loss was driven by racism. But I don't blame the Passamaquoddys for thinking it might have been."

Get the Story:
George Smith: We should allow all gambling, or none at all (The Kennebec Journal 11/14)