. In 1931 Nevada was asking itself “What do we got to lose”. The state passed laws that year legalizing gambling. The first major casinos were opened in Reno. The next 10 years until the 40’s was when Las Vegas really grew. “Clubs arose, neon lights soared the skies and entertainment engulfed the streets” (Cardoza 7-11). Las Vegas was like no other; it replaced currency with chips, around the clock gambling and nearly a total absence of clocks. After nearly 50 years in success Las Vegas finally took on a competitor. In 1978 the state of New Jersey legalized gambling (Cardoza 15-17). Does gambling help our economy? When gambling was approved in New Orleans it created 15,000 new jobs and brought in 25 million in city taxes. In addition, it also brought in 67 million in state taxes each year. When South Dakota needed $400,000 to replace water lines and another $50,000 to shape up a failing wall on the reservoir they turned towards gambling. “Nevada offers both tourism and gaming. If the customers want it, Nevada can and should deliver” (Dambrink 7-9). Casinos do in fact improve the economy of states. In Mississippi, gaming represented 25% to 33% of the new jobs created and employed approximately 10,000 people in 1993. The number more than doubled in 1994 to 28,000 (Solotaroff n.p.). On the Gulf Coast the economy can be summed up in one word, gambling. A report from the Harrison County Development Commission for fiscal year 1993 noted gambling has improved “economic stimulus unequaled in modern times” (Dambrink 16-18). Most if not all states already allow horse racing, bingo halls, jai alai, and state sponsored lotteries. The new craze is riverboat cruising. The rush to embrace casino gambling on riverboats began in Iowa in 1991. Illinois and Mississippi soon followed in 1992. By the end of 1993, 20 states had passed laws in favor of g...
