Letter: State without 'vile' gaming industry still has gambling

Letter writer Kim Roman suggests in the Sun (July 5) that the gaming "product" is deficient because lobbying and manipulation are used to promote it. What "products" do we use that are not advertised in a manner to influence our purchase decision?

Roman further stated that "you will never realize how vile the industry is until you move away from it." She has moved from Las Vegas to Maryland.

Last time I looked, Maryland ran pick 3, pick 4, pick 5, scratch off and lotto games. There are keno monitors in the bars and bowling alleys throughout Maryland. There's also pari-mutuel horse racing, bingo and off-track betting. Some escape!

The "free state" has been described as a "tax hell." When I voted with my feet to Las Vegas, I was paying more than 7.5 percent state and local income tax, sales tax on most merchandise (including soft drinks, snacks and even newspapers), and more real estate tax than I pay here on a much larger home.

I'm staying here.

Glenn F. Adams

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