Um, why does the "scourge of gambling" need to be stopped? Personally, I don't gamble - not even a lottery ticket. So, why should I care?
And just for argument, if a budget crisis is an acceptable costs of ending gambling, why wouldn't arson also be acceptable? (I may be sorry I asked that).
I personally believe people should be allowed to gamble but their is a "scourge". A lot of people lack the will to control their habit. I know one lady that has a hair shop. She works hard for two or three months, takes a trip to Reno and is comes home in debt only to restart the cycle. But at least she gets her income legally. Many are forced over the edge into theft from employers or propped up by relatives.