Someone mentioned it above, but I've talked to some old timers and have heard more than once the issue is Poker machines and the proliferation of easy access gambling. In days gone by that was not an option. You had many folks that had a gambling problem, some cash to spend, and would play for cash on the tables. Folks that had no business playing for money. There were always folks waiting to take that money. Now with poker machines, the need to play pool for money is gone to these gambling addicts. They now sit in front of the machines and mindlessly push the buttons with visions of that lucky jackpot hitting on that next brainless push of that button, in the back corner of that dingy bar...