Obama Urges Bailout for 'Responsible' Vegas Gamblers

After bailing out AIG, Citibank and homeowners who signed up for mortgages they couldn't afford, President Obama now wants to rescue another group of financial washouts - Las Vegas gamblers.
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After bailing out AIG, Citibank and homeowners who signed up for mortgages they couldn't afford, President Obama now wants to rescue another group of financial washouts - Las Vegas gamblers.

Although critics say the proposal would reward people who took dangerous risks, Obama insists the bailout is aimed at "responsible gamblers."

"Yes, some folks knew the odds when they placed bets," the president said. "But many were duped into emptying their wallets by predatory blackjack dealers, cheap cocktails and fancy slot machines with hypnotic flashing lights."

The $75-billion bailout package, officially known as the MGM-Mandalay Bay Recovery Act of 2009, also earmarks funds for arcade customers who spent all their money trying to grab a stuffed animal on one of those claw vending machines.

This story originally appeared at http://NotTheLATimes.com/vegasbailout.html
Copyright 2009 Roy Rivenburg
Photo by Alan Kotok and Pete Souza

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