Crumbling Walls For Online Gambling Opponents?
Added: Sept. 21, 2015
Consider the premise that it is undeniably true that online gambling and online sports betting have risen to mainstream awareness. And not just awareness, mind you. As a matter of fact, for quite a large number of people around the world there is at least a tacit endorsement of the idea of legalized online gambling.
Now take the above premise on one hand. Now add yet another undeniably true modern reality; that of state governments scrounging around for additional sources of revenue. For whatever reason or perhaps no reason at all, it is not at all uncommon for state legislators to suddenly realize their state books don’t quite add up. That is to say, there is more than one state out there that is scrambling to find ways to pay all of the bills.
As you might well expect and as has already been witnessed throughout this year, this is the time when the idea of online casino action is brought back to the table. That’s right. Despite what may have been said before about the so-call ills of online gambling, a state government finance committee may find itself analyzing the options available with legalized online gambling.
At the present moment, this is the story being played out in the state of Washington. Yes, Washington state, not exactly the hotbed of gambling activity by any stretch of the imagination. But what is new and different in the state of Washington?
For one thing, the state has pretty much raised taxes and fees as far as it can without triggering widespread protests. Keep in mind, the Citizens of Washington are not so willing to pay more in terms of taxes and additional fees.
On the other hand, online gambling of any sort may provide a way out. This is the thinking behind not one, but two bills that were introduced onto the legislative floor during the most recent session. Both of these two bills were worded in such a way that online fantasy sports betting would become legal. The language of the bills laid out a plan to set up fantasy sports betting leagues (online). Sadly, neither of these bills gained any traction. This time around.
Yet as is becoming crystal clear to state governments across the U.S. there is a growing demand for online gambling and online sports betting (regular and fantasy). Instead of putting their heads in the sand and pretending that it just ain’t so, at least some are willing to bring up the topic for discussion.
Perhaps this is how it will play out. The topic gets introduced in one legislative session only to be shot down. In the time between the next legislative session proponents now have an opportunity to educate their constituents on the very real benefits to legalizing online gambling activities.