Next: Online Gambling in the US?

President Barack Obama declared that the unemployment numbers indicate "the worst may be behind us." Even if true, the states are thinking of new revenue sources during the tough days ahead of us.

One way to recover lost revenue is gambling. States are aggressively expanding legalized gambling, says the USA Today. No less than a dozen states will see gambling expansion by 2010, which will yield, according to state estimates, an extra $2 billion in gambling taxes.

Most states entertain a form of casinos. Forty states allow casino operations under law, up from 31 in 2000. Other recent changes in states' policies include:

• Extra slot machines at racetracks
• Video poker in bars
• Casinos stay open 24 hours a day
• Roulette and craps betting limits raise.

Gambling tax figures according to the USA today include:

• Ohio expected government take: $933 million in 2010.
• Pennsylvania expected take: $550 million in 2010.
• Illinois video poker additions to generate $300 million in 2010.
• Indiana casinos generate $800 million annually.

With such figures, important sources of income, and ongoing casino expansion, one cannot help but see online casinos legalized down the stretch. Question remains how soon?