Legalizing and Implementing Casino’s In the Great State of Texas!

In recent times and in the past, there have been great debates on whether or not Texas should legalize gambling in this great state.  I believe that Texas should legalize gambling because it would be beneficial for the state, primarily financially. Currently, an estimated 3.1 billion dollars is going to our neighboring states. This money, which would be at least a billion dollars in revenue, can go to things such as for schools, college grants, and roads. The money that could help many, would stay in Texas and help the economy overall.  In terms of the economy, I believe that it will be even better, because of the money it will bring. There are many points to consider as to why Texans should be allowed to gamble, these include but are not limited to: tax revenue, job, and huge tourist attractions-leading to business. My main point of focus is the money. Why not allow Texans to gamble? People are already putting billions of Texas dollars into other states economy; why not help our own economy by legalizing it? So, if this is such a good thing, why has it not been implemented? There are two difficulties that stand in the way of the legalizing of gambling to pass legislation. One being Rick Perry and the other complication are the religious Baptist groups. The reason as to why the Baptist groups are not for gambling is because, they think it is unmoral for people to gamble, solely because they believe it may cause addiction. Suzii Paytner who is the director of the Baptist Christian Life Commission says, “…it preys on the poor and caters to impulse…” As for Rick Perry it has been noted that he is opposed to the idea of the legalization of gambling in Texas. While this is their belief, my belief is that people should have the right to choose. As former State Senator John Montfor believes, “We feel like the people of Texas are smart enough, educated enough and certainly savvy about what’s going on that they ought to be able to decide this issue for themselves.” Maybe in future legislative sessions, many will have the option to say yay or nay to gambling in Texas. One way that may encourage the legalization of gambling in Texas would be by petitioning. On the website   www.lettexansdecide.com, one may represent their wants and beliefs by petitioning the legalizing of gambling in Texas. Few may ask the question, does petitioning really work? My opinion on this matter is yes, it does.  Petitioning works because politicians want to know the public’s opinions  and also petitioning on certain matters allows for the general public to get involved and know what is going on. So, get involved and let your voices be heard on your beliefs by petitioning.  In a poll done by  KXAN, out of 500 people statewide, 64 percent of respondents said they have traveled to other states to gamble while living in Texas. All bordering states - Oklahoma, New Mexico and Louisiana – have casinos. That is a lot of people leaving the state and putting billions of dollars into other states economy! Isn’t it ironic that we Texans have to go to other states just to play Texas Hold ‘Em? So, let’s end the irony and allow gambling in Texas! Furthermore, I think we should all get involved in any way we can to help make Texas a greater state by allowing people the right to choose whether or not gambling is right for them.