Last week, representatives from the company which owns the gaming rights at The Meadows petitioned to bring table games to the North Strabane location. The plea cited anticipated lost revenue to Wheeling Island in West Virginia, where Ohio County residents had approved the newest gambling option just as the Pennsylvania slots parlors were opening.

Of course, township officials are backing the idea. Since its June opening, North Strabane has gathered $900,000 in taxes from the casino. Officials say, of the police calls they've received from the facility, approximately half are merely for escorts when transporting money. And, because of the success, even more development is planned around the slots parlor, generating even more jobs.

State Rep. William DeWeese, D-Waynesburg, has jumped on the band wagon, introducing a state bill which would allow for such gambling games as poker and craps. DeWeese spouted the beloved "lower school taxes" cry as his reason for sponsoring the legislation.

It is clearly far too early to determine whether the "warm and fuzzies" which have surrounded the welcoming of 61,000 slot machines to the commonwealth will be sustainable. The amount of revenue generated at The Meadows alone in three months - $52 million - is mind-boggling. How the public will benefit from the $3 million which has been paid out in local and county taxes is a question which has yet to be answered as well.

Proponents for legalized gambling promised lower property taxes in exchange for allowing the slot machines. Raising their voices the loudest against the higher property taxes have always been those on fixed incomes, most notably senior citizens. Have the casinos truly helped these residents or has it merely contributed to their financial constraints?

Each of us can feel the pull of excitement and lure of financial gain when walking into a gambling palace. With the neon lights flashing and the sounds of bells signaling another winner, how can one not want to join in, especially when it only costs a quarter or dime or nickel or merely a penny? It is soon discovered that it takes far more than a single coin to walk out with any substantial winnings. And that is where the biggest deception lies.

Just allow the slot machines and everyone will be happy. That's what was sold to Pennsylvania residents with the approval of gambling. If we feel the need to compete with adjacent states for visitors and dollars, let's do something differently than just having a knee-jerk reaction to the allure of glitz shining from across the Ohio River.

Sooner or later, we all wake up to the realization that all that glitters is not gold. Hopefully, this dreamstate will not turn into a nightmare.