All bets are off: Legality of gambling raised anew in Brownsville

Brownsville Mayor Pat Ahumada nearly dealt himself a hot hand. So hot, in fact, that he risked being arrested by his own police force.

Ahumada and his hand-picked hand of merry advisers were using his Internet log page to promote a planned fund-raising “casino night.” They pulled the plug on the idea after questions were raised about the legality of their plans.

The idea was to have supporters pay $100 to $10,000 when they arrived at the event, scheduled for Sept. 27 at the Valley International Country Club. In return they would get poker chips they could use at whatever games of chance were set up in the room. Big winners for the night would receive prizes.

This was not to be a charity event; proceeds were to address the mayor’s “priorities,” apparently his campaign debts.

Police Chief Carlos Garcia said last week that a check with the state attorney general’s office led them to decide that the plan could well constitute illegal gambling.

Like most residents, Ahumada has many reasons to be glad he lives in Brownsville. For him, one of those reasons could be our proximity to the Gulf of Mexico. With a little planning and a few connections, the mayor can still have his little soirée featuring games of chance — simply charter a party boat, take it some 9 miles out into the gulf and break out the chips.

But, many would be quick to ask, why should he have to? The prohibition on gambling is one of the last of Texas’ blue laws — those designed to impose one group’s idea of morality on all residents — that hasn’t been repealed or at least weakened over the years.

Gambling remains completely off limits, however.

The logic that led to those repeals hasn’t quite made it allowing many games of chance, although the state is only too happy to waive the rule for its own benefit by operating a lottery.

At this point legalized gaming appears inevitable — it’s just a matter of when. State lawmakers have entertained bills that would allow limited casino gambling in the state, and it appears that one of the first places to see such an establishment will likely be South Padre Island. So far the bills haven’t passed, but it’s safe to assume that the proposal will continue to build support over the next few years.

Opponents mostly argue these days that legalized gaming makes it too easy for irresponsible people to lose too much money. True, some people become addicted to the lure of a big win; most people know their limits, however, and should be free to enjoy the thrill of an occasional wager. Besides, the argument is hollow when the state itself provides the same temptations by selling lottery tickets.

Friendly games of chance, supervised to guard against any allegations of cheating, are harmless. If the mayor — or anyone, for that matter — wishes to have an occasional casino night, he should be free to do so.

The Brownsville Herald