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Gambling on our future

It's not millions of dollars that's bet illegally each year on sporting events in this country it's billions, with a "b." And furthermore those same dollars go completely untaxed.

But now that the Supreme Court has made it possible for every state in the union to collect these tax dollars, it's time for Illinois to step up and pass legislation to make it possible. Not tomorrow mind you, but today - if not sooner.

And while people will argue that there are already plenty of state-sponsored gambling opportunities the fact remains that these illegal wagers are being placed anyway (and not always in the safest venues).

Like the naiveté that accompanied the concept of Prohibition or the legalization of pot, it's time to stop thinking in terms of what is or isn't virtuous and begin to comprehend our state's dire financial situation.

If placing a few additional betting windows in casinos, racetracks and betting parlors means more revenue for our underfunded educational system or crumbling infrastructure, why not?

Bob Ory

Elgin

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