RED CROSS INTERNATIONAL LOTTERY RAISES SOME EYEBROWS

The spread of legalized gambling in the United States has produced a plethora of chance-taking opportunities ranging from lotteries to blackjack to slot machines in almost every state. For most Americans who recall when Nevada was about the only place, once upon a time not so long ago, that you could place a legal bet, the rapid expansion of accessible gambling -- convenience stores with instate lottos, for example -- is bewildering and uncomfortable.

History reminds us that lotteries have been used in this country to raise money for public works since colonial times. Early-day effort to build roads and another major capital improvements were frequently financed through lotteries in those days.

But given the darker side of gambling in more recent years, there are more than a few raised eyebrows over the decision by the Red Cross to conduct an international lottery on the Internet in order to raise funds.

Moreover, the Red Cross money-raising scheme is running afoul of state and national laws that restrict or prohibit gambling within their border on the Internet.

The Red Cross is a noble organization whose work is well-known in this area. It is too bad that this reputation might be smudged by such a thing as international gambling.