Taking a Chance on It

The Birmingham News ran an editorial 3 December 2005 commending Jefferson County authorities for for "cracking down" on illegal gambling operations.

Regardless of whether you think gambling is an egregious sin or just a fun way to (maybe) make some quick cash, one can't help but take note of the "Chuck E. Cheese" law that permits games of chance for children. If you've been in a pizza establishment, like the law's namesake, or stopping in an arcade at your mall, you would have seen these games. They seem simple and innocent. What adverse affect could they have on kids.

Perhaps ... none.

But let's look at it from a different angle. Children are prohibited from participating in many of the serious vices while adults are allowed to participate at will: smoking; drinking alcohol; sex (read: statutory rape); reading pornography (softcore or hardcore).

Gambling is the one vice that our society has decided should be open to children but not adults -- unless the adult wants to play the children's games.

It's somewhat strange to me that a majority in our state wring their hands over gambling but then turn around and allow their children to gamble -- presumably because it's just harmless fun.