Friday the Albuquerque Journal published an op-ed by Stop Predatory Gambling New Mexico chairman, Dr. Guy Clark, titled “Lottery Bill was a Trojan Horse for Slots.”
The article made mention of the vague language in SB-180 giving the lottery authority the ability to contract for “lottery gaming systems.” Although this language is vague enough to even cover lottery systems now in effect in New Mexico, it can also be used to permit video lottery terminals (aka slots). Google that term and on the first page you get about ten slot machine manufacturers, nearly all of whom do big business supplying states with VLT’s.
We were fortunate that several of the members of House Ways and Means Committee agreed that the language could be construed to allow video lottery terminals to replace the paper lottery. We are sure the lottery authority will be back again next year with similar proposals. We will try to make sure that the legislature insists on language that can’t be stretched to include video lottery terminals.
The lottery is the state playing its citizens for suckers. Allowing the lottery authority to operate slot machines to raise money for tuitions is a terrible idea that exploits our citizens, especially our most vulnerable citizens.
It’s time for the state to get out of the predatory gambling business.
