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It is no new story for the majority of the 50
states—slot machines and gambling are a quick fix to lagging state budgets.
Over the past couple of years, the number of states offering slot machines
and gambling has only risen. Currently there are only two states that do not
allow any forms of gambling: Utah and Hawaii. The rest of the United States
has jumped on the band wagon by legalizing some form of gambling as a way to
bring in additional revenues.
The forms of gambling the states have legalized do vary however. The normal
first step for a state seeking additional revenue is to begin a state
lottery. Some states stop here and use the state lottery system to fund
education, health care, tourism, employment, and other under-funded areas.
Other states though fall into the trap and only continue to expand the
gambling legal in the state.
Next comes Class II slot machines, then perhaps Class III slot machines
(Vegas style slots)—these are the big ticket items that draw in more patrons
and more revenue. Now states like Pennsylvania stop here. Pennsylvania is in
the beginning stages of offering Class III slot machines across the state.
Other states like Nevada, New Jersey, California, and others have taken it
one step past the slot machines and have legalized table gaming and
full-size casinos.
There is no doubt about it that legalizing gambling brings in great amounts
of additional revenue to the states. And as more states begin to expand
their gambling casinos and slot machines, the other states raise their
offerings as a way to compete—so it doesn’t look like the industry shows any
signs of slowing down any time soon.
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