It is one of many reasons I dislike gambling. It throws a giant shadow wherever it is and wherever it threatens to be. History is full of gamblers affecting the outcome of sports. No sport seems immune. No level seems immune. Certainly, it has made its way into horse racing, boxing, football, basketball and I am sure there are several I have no idea of. They shave points on college games and, for crying out loud, high schools.

It has ruined lives and it has undermined the public trust. Just ask folks if they believe if boxing is legit, rather it is or not. Even if there is a valid problem in a horse race, there will always be those that will be suspicious.

What about the poor horses that are drugged to change the outcome of a race. That makes it inhumane as well as illegal and wrong.

Then too, what about the rooster fights. Okay. I know that it is illegal in the US but people still do it, primarily because of the gambling.  And, by the way, it is still legal in most countries.

Poor Pete Rose will likely never see his name in the Hall of Fame. This is only right. He’s given baseball a big black eye and the bruise will remain long after he is gone. It does bring up the question of who else in the pros has some kind of gambling problems. Just because we know of none, doesn’t mean there are none. Just before Rose was discovered, most thought there was no problem in Baseball.

For years and years, only Vegas permited gambling on sports. Now, almost suddenly, it is encouraged throughout the country. If you want most of the country angry, suggest it be made illegal. In times past, the media,  the reporters discouraged all sorts of gambling. Not any more. They are the head cheerleaders. You just don’t ever see gambling portrayed in a negative light any more. (Wonder if there is any money, bribes changing hands)

The disease has its countless tentacles reaching into every nook and cranny at every level of virtually all governments in the country. I know this because none of them, no not one will consider making gaming illegal. Their tax revenues are too great. They know if they do, there will have visits from a number of people who don’t want the gaming removed. No doubt, there will be threats.

The farmer produces food. The manufacturer produces things we need and use. Just what is it that gaming provides for us? Can we eat it? Does it provide shelter, comfort or transportation?  Does it provide entertainment? Some will say yes to that. I find that odd. I would feel better after giving my money away. The world would be better and I’d feel better.

Of course, what do I know? Maybe you’d rather your “spare” change end up in the hands of folks who feel no guilt making their fortunes off the misfortune of others. As for me, I’d rather give the money to folks who have had misfortune.

Even more, let’s keep them and their kind out of sports, especially colleges and high schools. It’s certainly one place we don’t need them and their lucre

If nothing else, let’s keep them out of our school sports. I have given up all hope of keeping the poor horses out of their grip. I can’t stop people going into casinos and, in minutes, maybe seconds, lose a whole week’s wages.

Then of course, the casino management waves goodbye and says, “Thank you very much. Wasn’t that fun? We’ll see you next Friday.” No way am I, or any of us going to do something about that.

We do have one consultation. The guy that lost that paycheck, the guy whose wife just might divorce him… that fellow sure was entertained, and wow did he have fun, but not so long.