Market Research

This makes entirely too much sense:

Texas Considers Meeting Shortfall With Recreational Activity

Sure, the Bible Belt will squeal like pigs at the idea of adults making their own choice about what to do with their disposable income. Clearly you should be tithing to the Reverend Bucyrus T. Longhorn rather than throwing twenty down on a hard eight.

But one need only look at the outcome every election cycle as county by county and precinct by precinct, the blue-noses lose wet/dry elections and the reality that folks like a beer after work or with a Sunday football game is acknowledged. Now the additional reality of gambling as entertainment that can make big bucks without taxing people is going to get a hearing.

Will Texans actually gamble? The market research has already been done and the results are beyond question. The state line with Louisiana is littered with casinos from Shreveport to Baton Rouge to the Sabine Lake coast. The border with Oklahoma is aglitter with native American enterprises welcoming you to luxury suites, swimming pools and blackjack tables. The line with New Mexico promises that the Apaches won't scalp you, but they will give you a chance at a major slot jackpot. Texans are spending the money, why not keep it at home?

This will be interesting and how the conservative super-majority of the legislature handles this will be enlightening.