Dan Gwadosky, Maine Lottery Director, says that "people are still dreaming about that big jackpot win".

For a state government that says that it opposes gambling, it is wonderful for them to allow the average citizen to spend their last few dollars for a MegaBucks ticket to hopefully fund their retirement or even just a full tank of fuel.

Instant sales tickets have dropped, perhaps because people simply can't chance their last dollar in hopes of winning just a few more, but Lottery sales overall are about $600,000 over budget. Megabucks and Powerball have made up the difference and more. Lottery directors across the country have been worried about losing revenue because of the recession but desperate times call for desperate measures and when the poor of Maine and the nation can't pay their bills then they are all too happy to chance their last few bucks on a big win. This state is not above taking these last few dollars to help increase the revenue of the Lottery Commission.

Let's see if I can remember why the Governor opposes gambling. Gambling is an addiction. Gambling hits the poor the hardest. Gambling promotes crime. I'm sure I've missed a few. Oh sorry, I forgot that this only applies to private gambling concerns and State sponsored gambling is healthy for the Government and it's citizens. Where is my mind lately anyway?

With another gambling referendum coming this fall you will soon be seeing all the hype about the pros and cons of gambling in Maine. I noticed that Hollywood Slots has recently completed their facility in Bangor and the local government seems to feel it is the best thing since sliced bread.

I followed a little old lady yesterday at the checkout at my local Cumberland Farms and had to wait a couple of minutes while she spent her money. $30.00 went to Megabucks and another $10.00 to scratch tickets. No other purchases were made and then she made her way to an old primer covered pickup truck in the parking lot and drove away. I'm sure that money is tight for her but she was all too glad to spend $40.00 to play at the governments gambling trough. Every time I hear Governor Baldacci or some other government so called leader tell how horrible gambling is I think of people like this old lady parting with their money.

I am not so concerned with the way a grown adult spends their money as I am with the lies of the politicians.

Going back for at least several administrations, all of our governors and a majority of our legislators have supported gambling in Maine - and then turned around and lied to the state (and the voters) by saying that they don't. Our government sits up front of the room and tells us how horrible gambling is then votes to continue and promote gambling operations by the state.

The simple fact of the matter is that the state wants all the money and doesn't want to share with any private operators. Approval of another gambling venture by some private company might reduce the sales of scratch tickets and we couldn't have that now could we?

If Baldacci or the legislature thinks that gambling is so bad then I would expect Megabuck, Powerball, and scratch tickets to disappear tomorow. I know this won't happen because - like the TV ads keep telling us all - gambling is an addiction and this state is addicted.

Now if we could only get our politicians to become addicted to honesty.

Has anyone noticed how “gaming” has crept into the language and supplanted “gambling” as the word for throwing money down the rat hole? I hear it all the time now. I am glad that ignoring terrible odds and losing money now sounds more dignified. Countless thousands of people, once called “suckers”, are spared great embarrassment. No longer can they be accused of gambling away the egg money. Now they game it away.

Whom should we thank for the great leap forward? Why, none other than the Gaming Industry itself. This fig leaf first appeared as it thrust its tentacles into new territory and new pockets.

I shouldn’t be so critical. The gambling industry itself stood in need of greater dignity. It’s embarrassing to take a person’s money, give him absolutely nothing in return and drop tiny crumbs of cash to lure him on. So, you see, if the racketeer and the racketee both seek solace in euphemism, then everybody wins.