States turn to casinos as economy sags

Poker players may be hedging their bets as the economy slides, but U.S. states are still asking voters to loosen restrictions on gambling in order to raise revenue and help stem growing budget deficits.

Voters are set to decide next month on gambling referendums in Colorado, Maryland, Missouri and Ohio that range from ending loss limits to opening new territories for casinos.

While this is nothing new it seems that states are being more aggressive in opening up gambling during hard economic times in order to increase revenues.