Published: July 03, 2008 11:31 am         

Money is the root of Hoosier gambling ills

It is still shocking that fiscally conservative Indiana lawmakers have wholeheartedly endorsed an activity that is the philosophical antithesis of monetary restraint.

It is, of course, gambling, which has grown by leaps and bounds since the state’s first legal betting facility opened in 1994 — the Hoosier Park pari-mutuel horse track.

The latest venture into gambling kicked off this week involving the legalization of small-stakes gaming in taverns.

But there is no equivocation about why this measure was passed by the Legislature.

Bill author state Rep. Dennis Tyler, D-Muncie, wanted to make sure bars were not at a competitive disadvantage with veterans, non-profit and fraternal organizations that were already allowed to sell pull tabs. But there also is an important economic factor.

“As a result of the current economic downturn, the state has been taking in far less money than originally projected,” Tyler said. “It is necessary to expand our options for obtaining revenue to ensure vital state programs do not suffer.”

So there it is. Money — or the shortage of it — is the main reason riverboats were allowed to open in 1995. And that’s also the reason new slot machines were approved this year at the state’s two horse tracks.

It’s one thing to be concerned about raising taxes, but to balance the budget by expanding gambling is hypocritical. There is nothing conservative about adding slot machines instead of cutting the budget.

The last election featured the usual sound bites touting Hoosier values and opposition to tax increases. But it is time for voters to listen to other alternatives.