If you like public policy that forces the government to expand and taxes to go up, you will really like the false promise of casino gambling in Kentucky. The rosy scenarios of new revenue for Frankfort never figure in the increased need for social services brought on by the fantastic allure of casinos. Quick losses mount up and families are torn down. The government usually winds up picking up the tab for the families. Unfortunately, the roads and schools build by gambling revenue are easy to see. The uncounted cost is much less visible.
So when the "additional" revenue is offset by new social spending, we wind up spending money on other projects we will need to clean up the toxic waste left by the casinos.
Will people gamble anyway? You bet. Will they run over to Indiana's gambling boats regardless of what Kentucky does? Sure.
But the scam is the idea that building casinos on this side of the river will be a net benefit to Kentuckians. Only casino-sponsored studies count the social costs at zero.
The fact is that casinos will cost the state more than they generate in revenue. It would be cheaper to just let those who want to go to Indiana for gambling trips go.
And speaking of scams: if you like the idea of higher government spending following the implementation of casinos, you will absolutely love the underhanded way the casinos are sneaking in to Kentucky in broad daylight.
It's called "let the people decide."
Looking at legislative campaigns across the state, members of both parties seem to have gotten in the "let the people decide" game.
If casinos can get on the ballot in Kentucky, they will dump many millions of dollars into advertising campaigns. Their organized opposition consists mainly of church groups. Fiscal conservatives would do well to tune into this debate very quickly.
Soon it will be too late.
