“Better is a little with righteousness than great income with injustice.” – Proverbs 16:8
For many years now, the corruption that gambling and sports betting ignited has been on full display for the nation to see. Gambling improprieties have been happening across the United States, and over the last couple of years, the Buckeye State has been rocked by serious sports betting scandals as well.
Due to both college and Major League Baseball sports betting scandals in Ohio, Governor Mike DeWine is now publicly stating that he regrets signing into law a bill that legalized sports betting back in 2021. In an interview with the Associated Press, Gov. DeWine said that he “absolutely” regrets signing the law that has unleashed the gambling industry upon Ohioans.
In further comments during the interview on the issue of legalizing sports betting, Gov. DeWine simply stated, “Ohio shouldn’t have done it.” Gov. DeWine has publicly stated that he is now seeking options to hopefully limit more scandals from exploding due to the legalization of sports betting in the state.
In fact, Gov. DeWine said that he would gladly sign a repeal of Ohio’s sports betting law, but unfortunately, the reality is that the Ohio Statehouse, at this point, has no interest in supporting a repeal. Gov. DeWine’s drastic reversal from fervently supporting sports betting to now wanting to restrict the gambling industry reveals the reality that deep corruption is intrinsically associated with the industry. Hopefully, Gov. DeWine’s comments on the problematic gambling industry will start a wave of commonsense that will sweep across America to restrict the predatory industry. That wave must also reach Kentucky, which followed the disastrous mistake of many states in expanding predatory gambling.
LET US PRAY…
Father, help Your people to realize that gambling is an unwise use of the resources that You have blessed us with. Lord, we praise You for Gov. DeWine’s courage to speak out against the gambling industry and the dangers that it poses. Father, may sports at every level begin to take steps to distance themselves from gambling, as it always brings with it corruption. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.