Florida, New Jersey and California are looking to legalize Internet gambling in an effort to ease budget shortfalls.
Gambling opponents like Les Bernal, executive director of StopPredatoryGambling.org, hope the trend doesn't spread.
"There are libraries full of how predatory gambling doesn't deliver on any economic promises," he said, "but government continues to push this program. We have this Las Vegas ethic that is permeating our business culture and now they're trying to permeate our families."
As states become increasingly dependent on gambling revenues, officials are willing to ignore the social costs.
"Instead of having an adult conversation about how to fund public services," Bernal said, "they're focused on, 'How do we expand an already outrageous government program of predatory gambling?'"
Bernal says one out of five Americans today think the best way to achieve long-term economic security is to play the lottery.
