Even Police Become Scofflaws When Gambling is Illegal

Kentucky laws against gambling seem so out-of-date and disregarded that even police get involved in illegal gambling operations.

Despite US and state laws restricting gambling, tens of millions of US residents continue to gamble illegally, at hidden poker games, through neighborhood bookies, and in office pools and contests everywhere. This week, a Kentucky raid on an illegal gambling operation discovered that gaming laws have turned even policemen into scofflaws.

Tuesday, police from Hillview, Kentucky, raided an automobile windshield repair shop to discover a casino gambling operation. Both slots and gaming tables were there, along with sixteen customers and employees, one of whom turned out to be an off-duty officer from nearby Sheperdsville.

Brent Dawson of the Sheperdsville Police Department apparently felt gambling to be both innocuous and widespread enough to disregard laws against it, joining other residents, including a local attorney, in gambling. One observer compared the public view of gambling bans to existing laws against adultery and sodomy that aren't enforced.

Like speeding and jaywalking, gambling has become an activity that the public knows is against the law, but refuses to honor rules forbidding it. Public policy experts say laws which result in general disobedience create an atmosphere of disrespect for authority, and that such laws should be reviewed to consider acknowledging the will of the people.

Arresting officers felt sorry they had to expose Dawson.

"You hate to do that to another officer, but if you break the law you break the law," said Hillview Officer Roy Raines to WAVE-3 News. "It's very difficult."