Mexico - a nation battling corruption, drug trafficking, rising violent crime and poverty - should not take a chance on casino gambling. It would only add to the moral and economic woes of our neighbor to the south.
The Mexican Congress will consider a divisive proposal to legalize casino gambling this fall. Not surprisingly, the issue has generated shrill debate and strong feelings on both sides.Legalizing gambling is an understandable temptation for the Mexican government, as the nation has been stagnated in a deep recession for two years. But as one of the country's legislators cited, any perceived benefits would be overwhelmed by the accompanying vices of drug dealing, prostitution, money laundering, other crimes and general "disintegration of social conduct."
A study for the Mexican Legislature by Harrah's Entertainment Inc. - certainly an objective source - indicated that gaming in Mexico would create more than 50,000 jobs resulting in $200 million in salaries and wages and $795 million in taxes after five years.
Obviously, a company that stands to profit handsomely from moving into Mexico with its operations will paint a rosy picture concerning potential benefits. But its eagerness to move south of the border is indicative of the huge profits it plans to extract from prospective customers.
When it comes to casino gambling, the house never loses - but most of the players do. And that is the last thing Mexican workers and their families need.
Claims of enrichment and great benefits to the local population are lies. One Mexican leader said it succinctly: "The money that comes here is going to leave. It won't be invested. The beneficiaries would be the owners and managers. No one else."
Another potential problem that would undermine the economy is the attraction to casino jobs for many who work in coal and steel mines and other vital industries. Economic and social effects of such a strong attraction would be devastating.
All in all, casino gambling in Mexico - and anywhere else, for that matter - is a bad bet.