"Legislators in their first week of a special session in Olympia are understandably desperate in their search for budget solutions. However, they should be careful not to let their desperation lead to foolishness.

One possible new source of revenue being pushed by some Republicans is the perfectly horrible idea of allowing slot machines and other forms of electronic gambling in nontribal casinos, or cardrooms. Currently, electronic gambling is allowed only in the state’s tribal casinos; nontribal outlets are limited to table games.

Some lawmakers argue that allowing more slot machines could yield $300 million to $400 million per biennium to a state that’s wrestling with a projected $2 billion shortfall. But here are the most compelling arguments supporting the belief that “more gambling” is a foolish fiscal strategy."

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In Our View: Precarious Profits (The Columbian 12/1)