Since we are celebrating the lottery’s 20th birthday and since The Star brought up the governor’s “List of Failures,” let’s not overlook the Big Sell-Out. That is the disenfranchisement of hundreds of mom-and-pop operations that relied on video gaming to keep their doors open and pay excise, income, sales and property taxes in every county of the state.

Rather than legalize and put online video gaming machines (which other states have done quite successfully), Gov. Mitch Daniels grabbed the quick, up-front money from two racinos.

The few crumbs that local governments receive in gambling revenue cannot compare to the amount of jobs, property and income that have been lost since this decision was made. This administration and our legislators have perpetuated the state’s hypocrisy toward gambling. They want the revenue, but they do not want to allow local entities or the gambling public to determine where and how it will be generated.

Steve Schrader

Marion