And......They're Off!

     Yep! They're Off! All those "Night At The Races"
events are being cancelled because somebody reminded
everybody they're illegal!
      WOW! What a shock!
      You bet money on a horse in a race and all of a
sudden you're accused of gambling! Oh, wait a minute.
That is gambling...... isn't it?
       You would probably be hard pressed to find
somebody who hasn't done some "under the table"
gambling over the course of a year.
        In addition to the "Night at the Races" there's
 the traditional "Basket of Cheer" raffle or the
"Chinese Auction" you come across at church, charity,
 and civic events all the time.
        And how many folks put down a few shekels
at Super Bowl parties across the country last Sunday?
        Maybe if you don't win it doesn't count! That
puts me in the clear!
        The odds were always in your favor if you put
your money behind an game run by a church or a
charity. Not that you would win. But there was always
a high probability the cops wouldn't be cuffing you or
a group of nuns and hauling you or them off in the
Paddy wagon. But, fact is, they could have!
        The whole issue is a sort of "drawing a line in
the sand" thing. Some "casual gambling" has always
been "overlooked" while some has not.
         You may remember when a lot of the social
clubs run by volunteer fire companies got hit for
having Video Poker machines in their establishments.
Think of all the money those places were taking
away from our Casinos!
          The State is considering legislation that would
allow church and non profit groups to operate some
"small games of chance." I believe it's a good bet it
will pass! Bingo already has the green flag for agencies
that have been approved for licenses.
           Now if only we can get them to include our
Super Bowl and World Series Pool!
           Hope your number comes up and that all your
NEWS is good!