Things are getting better in the United States.  Even the President Barack Obama says that unemployment rates may be an indication that the country has finally survived the worst of this economic recession.  That is does not mean we have fully recovered, just that the economy has seen the bottom of these problems and is on the road to recovery.

For many of states, that road to recovery will require brand new revenue sources.  Most states in the union are suffering from budget shortfalls and lack of jobs, problems that can only be solved by generating more tax revenues.  Most states do not want to raise income tax, so it is important that tax comes from new areas.  Gambling is a favorite for governments looking for new tax revenues. 

Online casinos, which may be legalized and regulated in the United States by the end of the year, may have such a great shot because now a majority of states have legalized some form of casino gambling in the last decade.  Back in 2000, only 31 states offered some sort of casino gambling.  Now, less than a decade later, 40 states offer legal casino gambling.  There is little room to stand on for protests against legalizing online casinos in the United States when most states now offer brick and mortar casino gambling.  

According to estimates, about 12 states will see some form of gambling expansion by 2010, expansions that will generate an additional $2 billion in gambling taxes.  Regulating online casinos can generate billions more in tax revenue.