RI House Speaker: State should re-consider casinos

A “full-blown” casino rather than the “parlors” we have now?  What absurd nonsense! We are playing with words.  The term “parlor” suggests a small room for reception and conversation; something low scale … certainly not anything like the huge casino we have in Lincoln. (I have not seen the one in Newport)  The only thing about this place that is not “full-blown” is the lack of big name entertainment and a good high quality buffet.  The games that are available there are also a huge put off.  The only real “evil” about gambling or casinos is the form of gambling that strictly targets the most vulnerable of our populations by using devices that rely on little to no independent judgment (limited to pulling the handle or not pulling it) and on the very powerful psychological learning principle of “variable reinforcement” which results in the many addictive trances you will observe by visiting the casino.  Slot machines are very aptly called “one-armed bandits” and a big reason many of us do not patronize this casino is the lack of more wholesome games which allow the player to use his/her brain and which offer the player a better chance of winning something.  Games such as black jack, roulette, craps, poker, sports betting, etc. would not only improve the quality of the clientele but would also increase the number of players as well as the bottom line.  Do we have to vote on this?