Figure the odds....

When the state has a floundering economy it shouldn't be using gambling as a lifeline.
But income and sales tax receipts are down. The only state revenue source showing any improvement is lottery revenue. That's why, with lawmakers facing extremely painful budget choices this year, they moved to expand hours of operation for Newport Grand and Twin River in Lincoln.
The House debate was rife with political sloganeering, pandering and head-scratching logic.
For instance, Rep. Deborah A. Fellela, D-Johnston, tried to amend the bill to raise the legal age for gamblers from 18 to 21. Fellela and those who sided with her seem to think that if you're between 18 and 20 you are too immature to handle slot machines. Maybe some are. But, then again, a lot of people older than 21 can't handle gambling either.
If you're 18 you are a legal adult, with all the attached rights and responsibilities, except a few. You can vote, but you can't drink. You can join the military, but, if Fellela had her way - she didn't; her amendment failed - you wouldn't be able to play slot machines. In Fellela's mind you're not mature enough to buy a lottery ticket, but you are old enough to go to the ACI if convicted of a crime.
Wonder how many Marines stationed in Iraq are between 18, 19 or 20.

Leaders sought to make the legislation more palatable to the rank and file by including a provision dedicating revenue - up to an estimated $14.1 million a year - from the expanded hours to state school aid.
Although it sounds nice, the provision is meaningless. Leaders admitted that it would not mean extra school aid. Absent a firm funding formula the General Assembly could still cut or increase state aid at its discretion. In theory, the legislature could cut out all state aid - except the $14.1 million included in the gambling bill.

Finally, Newport Reps. J. Russell Jackson and Steven J. Coaty were right on target when they claimed during the debate that the expanded hours bill was the first step toward bringing in full-fledged casinos to the two legal slot parlors.
You can be assured that when the one-year trial period ends next year, proponents will be back claiming success and pushing for around-the-clock gambling seven days a week. (The bill only allows 24-hour gambling on Fridays, Saturdays and the nights before holidays.)
At some future date, they'll be back again, calling for table games. Although that would require approval by voters, proponents will use the potential of losing revenue to Connecticut and Massachusetts, if they push ahead with casinos, to pistol whip the electorate.

The year after the legislature legalized slot machines, there was a major effort to repeal it. Sen Joseph McGair, D-Warwick, who had opposed VLTs during the previous year's debate, had the right read when asked about the potential for a repeal.
The battle was over, McGair said. Once the state was hooked on gambling revenue, it would never be able to give it up. Gambling proponents would continue to use the threat of lost aid to push through even more gambling, he said. And gambling interests would never give up, McGair pointed out. No matter how many times they got beat, they would be back with their deep pockets, keeping the pressure on their vastly underfunded opponents.
Opponents have won more than their share of battles at the polls. But, as McGair pointed out, they can only lose once.