It's interesting to contrast Gov. Andrew Cuomo's views on casino gambling with those of his father, Mario, who spent 12 years in the same office.
Andrew openly endorses the introduction of casinos into the state's economy. He has proposed in next year's budget the world's largest convention center with a gambling casino at Aqueduct Race Track.
He has said he doesn't think casinos should be built in a heavily populated area but feels the Albany and Buffalo regions would be very commodious for such an enterprise.
This is in stark contrast with Mario, who had said on many occasions that gambling is no way for New York to prosper. He was against it on moral grounds.
On some of the many occasions on which he visited with the Press-Republican's Editorial Board during his three terms in office, the subject of casino gambling came up. That's because of the proximity of Mohawk gaming enterprises at Akwesasne and Ganienkah.
During the exchanges, Mario was reminded of the prominently moral organizations that use games of chance in their own fundraising. The Catholic Church, for example, has for generations relied on bingo to infuse its treasuries.
New York state itself touts its lottery games as an integral part of the state education budget.
But, Mario invariably demurred, saying that until you have seen the heartache of a family fallen prey to the evils of habitual gambling, you can't appreciate the misery you'd be introducing. As governor, he said, he would never take that step.
It's hard not to speculate on the dinner-table conversations and debates the issue might have inspired over the years in the Cuomo house. Here was Andrew saying something like, "It's here. Everybody's doing it. The Super Bowl just prompted billions to be bet on the outcome. The state needs the money." And Mario replying along the lines of, "We would be unleashing a demon bigger and worse than we imagine if we joined that crowd."
As for us, we're with Andrew on this one. It isn't the government's job specifically to save individuals from themselves at the expense of the prosperity of the overwhelming majority of the state.
Alcohol and cigarettes demonstrably kill individuals every year, but the state does not ban the substances.
The success of casino gambling in Nevada and New Jersey, the robust participation in state lottery games, attendance at Saratoga Race Track and even the office pools at Super Bowl and NCAA basketball tournament time are solid evidence that New Yorkers and just about everybody else enjoy a run at instant wealth, or at least the immediate thrill of winning some money.
Mario remained true to his word that gambling would not become any bigger a part of the state's economy than it already was.
Promisingly, Andrew has also remained true to his word. Casino gambling and its lure of significant revenue appears to be on the horizon.
