Republicans’ “war on gambling” is “so dangerous” that it is worthy of the “new York Times.”
The newspaper’s editorial board on Tuesday called out Republican lawmakers for “a new war on gamblers” that includes “a series of new rules and regulations aimed at punishing gamblers, who are not only victims but also potential criminals.”
The editorial board also accused Republican lawmakers of “ignoring the realities of American society” by voting against the bill that would repeal the Obama-era federal rules.
“The new rules could be a death knell for millions of Americans and could potentially put thousands of gamblers out of work,” the editorial board wrote.
“That’s not just a theoretical concern.
Millions of Americans who play their games responsibly would be out of a job, unable to find jobs or be able to obtain health care.
And millions of others who gamble could be forced to take drugs and lose their livelihoods.
This is bad for business, bad for our country, and bad for America’s economy.”
The editorial board pointed to the passage of the so-called Cole Memo, a bill that authorizes the federal government to prohibit the sale of alcohol, tobacco, and gambling to minors.
That bill, which was introduced in the House of Representatives by Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.) and Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R.I.), passed the House on Monday by a vote of 248-181, with only Republicans voting against it.