What a difference a hyphen can make.

As part of my sleuthing for newsworthy items for a community website I run, I utilize GoogleAlerts

Today, one of the alerts for which I received an email reminded me a bit of Jay Leno’s “Headlines”.

Here’s the headline:
West Carrollton police conduct 3 illegal gambling raids

Now, did the police raid 3 illegal gambling establishments?
Or did they perform 3 ‘illegal’ gambling raids?

Might it have been wise for the editor to insert a hyphen?
West Carrollton police conduct 3 illegal-gambling raids

Lo, the lowly hyphen. Where for art thou gone.

Here’s the link to the entire story.