Don't allow video gambling in Illinois

Legislators are considering allowing video poker in bars, truck stops and fraternal and veteran's clubs, the money to go mainly for school construction and the remainder to local governments.

In the early seventies, Gov. Walker got the lottery in Illinois to raise money for education and Gov. Thompson got us casinos for the same reason. Neither one has done the job. The state is in worse financial condition now than it ever was.

Video poker is the crack cocaine of gambling. It is the most addictive form of gambling.

The average yearly cost of each addictive gambler to the state is over $15,500. Any expansion of gambling will worsen the financial condition of the state, not make it better.

Hubert Dodge

Des Plaines