Brief: Candidates say gaming isn't going away

The Commercial Appeal newspaper in Memphis, Tenn., reported the candidates addressed a forum of more than 300 tourism industry officials Tuesday.

"Morally, I wish there were no gaming in the United States of America, but those days are long since past," said former lieutenant governor Eddie Briggs.

"We just need to make the most of it," he said.

Former congressman Mike Parker said that if he'd had a chance to vote on gambling, "I'd have voted no, period. I do not gamble. ...I believe gaming is a tax on the stupid."

But he said the people have decided to permit it in Mississippi and it's not going away.

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