The Statehouse Always Wins

What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. Except the main thing that happens in Vegas. That stays with you. You can bring it on the plane when you leave. It stays with you at home, at work, on the subway, on vacations, and even during trips to the restroom. In many states, your phone has become a legalized mobile casino. Sports betting is the main activity we often associate with phone-based gambling. But betting on sporting events is a drop in the quarter-filled bucket when it comes to casino economics. So predictably, in many states, slot machines are now on your phone, too. And people like the slot machines that fit into your pocket as much as they like the ones that serenade Las Vegas casinos on a non-stop basis. The slot machines aren’t the only Vegas highlight that travels well. So do the problems associated with gambling. “Traditional slot machines were once the most common reason people called the problem gambling hotline run by the Council on Compulsive Gambling of Pennsylvania. But in the years since the state legalized online gambling, online casino games have become the No. 1 reason for calls, ahead of physical casinos and sports betting.” With the risks associated with such behaviors, you’d assume states would be hesitant to legalize mobile slot machines. But here’s the rub. The state is in on the action. NYT Upshot: States Are Raking In Billions From Slot Machines on Your Phone. When it comes to sports betting, you have to wait for the game. With slots, the game is always waiting for you.