The gambling legislation that cleared the Kansas House is imperfect, and faces an uncertain future in the Senate. But unlike some past proposals, it would give Sedgwick County voters an opportunity to decide whether they want a local casino and slot machines at the dog track, rather than limit expanding gambling to northeast or southeast Kansas. It also would acknowledge that while many people, including many GOP legislators from the area, have sincere moral objections to gambling, many Kansans enjoy gambling already and would like to do so closer to home.
As our editorial notes, if a local casino election is held as a result of this bill, "it will be thanks to area Democrats and one Republican in the Kansas House — and no thanks to the rest of the area GOP House members, many of whom worked long hours in recent days against allowing local voters a say."
Posted by Rhonda Holman
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35 Comments
Agreed – put it to a vote.
If and when a Gambling Bill passes, it will be interesting to track divorce rates, domestic violence and bankruptcies.
You raise a valid point Republican. However, with the Lottery and all those casinos just over the state line I think we already get all that. Only thing we don’t get is the revenue.
Dont need to do much new research, the existing research shows that the divorce rate is much higher in the Southern Red states and evangelical states than in other areas.
Twice as high in southern red states than northern blue states. Massachusetts has a rate of 2.4 per 1000, where Ala, Okla, Ark, have rates of 6.6 to 7.1 per 1000.(1994 data)http://www.divorcereform.org/94staterates.html
More divorce rate here:http://www.divorcereform.org/rates.html
So watch out for those southern and midwest wild ones.
It would be nice to go gambling in my hometown than driving a few hours to do so. I am by no means a serious gambler but I do like to hit the slot machines. $20 will get you a few hours of fun. It’s not like you have to bet the house or anything.
@Republican – The pious should keep their “father knows best” paternalism at church and not try to impose it on me and my liberty.
Your alarmist rhetoric is based on uninformed speculation. If you’re so interested you should research how similar laws have impacted other communities.
It’s an issue of freedom.My freedom to spend my money how I choose.I can carry a loaded, concealed weapon, but they won’t let me put my quarter in a frickin slot machine?!!It’s right-wing absurdity, headed by Phil Journey.We should be able to do both.
I don’t see gambling to be the big social problem in Kansas. I just wonder if it can make money here without all the anti-competetive legislation we’ve had so far. For most Kansans, the daily wearther forecast is more than enough of a gamble to satisfy the urge!
“…and not try to impose it on me and my liberty.”
That’s why we have a vote, DA.
“That’s why we have a vote, DA.”
And I do hope we have that vote now.
Who is “DA”?
bdanley,
What “similar” laws would that be?
You right wing “bible thumpers” need to stay out of this. Kansas needs the money and the money people out of the State to gamble with would stay in the State and keep YOUR taxes from rocketing. Then you would complain about how it wasn’t fair. We ALL have rights. If you chose not to gamble, that is your choice. If I chose to gamble, that is my choice. Deal with it or move.
Are any of these higher in Mississippi or New Jersey since they passed casinos?
“If and when a Gambling Bill passes, it will be interesting to track divorce rates, domestic violence and bankruptcies.”
It is interesting to note the high rate in Alabama which allows NO form of gambling- not even a lottery.
Posted by: L Trueblood | March 27, 2007 at 06:06 PM”You right wing “bible thumpers” need to stay out of this…. Deal with it or move.”
Your tact, and art of persuassion, are impressive. I’m sure your strident-ness really converted a lot of people.
Kev,I’m sure it did! LOL I’m not known for staying quiet. I get tired of people trying to keep our rights from us stating it is a sin. We all bet! We bet with life every day! We bet with God every day! Oh BTW, Alabama does have casinos yet they remain one of the poorest states in the Union. It is called “education”.
Let’s see, a scientific study on the effects of gambling (Casinos) and bankruptcy rates. For your perusal:
The Impact of Casino Gambling onPersonal Bankruptcy Filing RatesJohn M. BarronDepartment of EconomicsKrannert School of Mgmt.Purdue University
Michael E. StatenCredit Research CenterMcDonough School of BusinessGeorgetown University
Stephanie M. WilshusenCredit Research CenterMcDonough School of BusinessGeorgetown University
Using multivariate techniques that control for the influence of factors such as debt usage,income interruptions, expense shocks and filing stigma (social and economic) we foundstatistically significant increases at the county level in the number of personal bankruptcy filingsUsing multivariate techniques that control for the influence of factors such as debt usage,income interruptions, expense shocks and filing stigma (social and economic) we foundstatistically significant increases at the county level in the number of personal bankruptcy filingswarranted.
http://72.14.203.104/search?q=cache:22fiSUpvhrIJ:www.ncalg.org/Library/Studies%2520and%2520White%2520Papers/Bankruptcy/Gambling%2520Impact%2520on%2520Personal%2520Filings.pdf+divorce+rate+gambling+mississippi&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=5&gl=us&client=firefox-a
Many have said that we should exercise “democracy” by allowing the citizens to vote on whether to have a destination casino. But, while that argument sounds very appropriate. We have elected our officials to research what is best for our community I wish to applaud those in Topeka for standing firm on doing the right thing on this issue.If this question were put to a vote, the pre-election promotion would be hopelessly skewed. There are few dollars to express the problems that casino’s bring and almost unlimited dollars extolling its “virtues.”
We have heard that revenues from casinos would do everything from: funding our schools to “help us finish the Kellogg project”. In an article from the Christian Science Monitor (April 8, 2005) we read: “But as the nation’s states and localities become ever more dependent on gambling to keep their revenue coffers full – some for as much as 10 percent of revenues – an increasing number of studies are raising questions about the losing side of that equation. The most recent, released this week, has found that when a casino comes to town, personal bankruptcies do decrease slightly, but only in the short term. After it’s been up and operating for nine years, then personal bankruptcies increase at a rate of 2 percentage points each year, compared with counties where there is no gambling. “What this suggests is that in a lot of communities, the full impact of bankruptcy and the negative consequences of gambling are yet to be felt,” says Edward Morse, a law professor at Creighton University School of Law in Omaha, Neb. “This is especially true as casinos continue to proliferate.” “The Hartford Currant studied the impact Casino’s had on Connecticut. Certainly Casinos have brought revenue to state (roughly $400 million in 2004). However, along with the financial benefits, Casinos have brought other “challenges” to the state. According to the research: “Casinos are ravaging the personal finances of too many people, cultivating a new class of unlikely criminals, victimizing neighboring governments and companies, and destroying lives and families. The bodies are getting harder to hide. In 1992, there was one state-funded clinic that treated problem gamblers. Today, there are 17 state-funded counseling sites. Not one program was funded by the casinos.”
Though I appreciate the need for increased revenue for our state, I believe it is foolish for us to see “Casino’s” as a “Genie, in a bottle” that will grant our “State’s Wishes”. In conclusion, I encourage our citizens to look past the seeming “Goose that lays the Golden Egg” and to the victims of this “innocent entertainment” Let’s look at providing positive approaches for economic development – not the “groping for fast cash” that casino’s promise.
Pastor Mike~ with all do respect:
“It’s an issue of freedom.My freedom to spend my money how I choose.I can carry a loaded, concealed weapon, but they won’t let me put my quarter in a frickin slot machine?!!It’s right-wing absurdity, headed by Phil Journey.We should be able to do both.Posted by: Sanford | March 27, 2007 at 04:26 PM”
It’s Freedom. Freedom to act responsibily, and make adult decisions.
Freedom to choose. Nothing more.This is America.Put it to a vote.
Thanks for the notice Sanford. I won’t be asking about that bulge in your jacket then. :)
Pastor Mike – whatever happens the genie is out of the bottle with gambling. Casinos right across the line in oklahoma and the lottery here. So, all the costs involved are already here. As I see it the only difference we would see is that at least we would get the revenues.
Personally I fail to see the attraction of casinos; however “to each his own”. So, let the people of Sedgwick County decide.
I have right now the capabilities to go anywhere at anytime that I want to, to gamble.I do not have to wait for it to come here.Everybody has that opportunity, but the real issue is “Do you want to keep our money within our county?”By the way, Pastor Mike, them big fancy glassed temples that you call church would make really nice gambling houses.
Wiseman,
There was a story about moneychangers being thrown out of a temple long ago…
Yeah I know but I do not see that happening yet.
Don’t alot of churchs have raffles and bingo nights to raise money now?
Only those church who seem that you can pay money and get out of purgatory. :)
The arguments have been made; I’ll not rehash them. Suffice it to say that when the Indian casinos went in, the effected counties were quickly scouring KU law school for prosecutors, as their petty theft, DUI, and domestic violence cases exploded.
It appears that the ‘No’ folks win logically, but logic rarely prevails, especially here (if logic prevailed, no one would gamble – it’s a rigged game, after all). Gambling promises fast easy cash, both to governments and to gamblers. The lure of fast, easy cash is tempting, but as is generally the case, the promise is a bait and switch. The only fast and easy cash is to the developers. As PT Barnum put it, there’s a sucker born every minute – and two to take his money.
So I’ll be voting no. If a majority of Kansans, however, want to partipate in a voluntary tax on the stupid, I guess that’s their right. Just don’t expect me to welcome casino gambling, with all its social costs, with open arms.
Harrah’s and Bally’s (or other developers) will bankroll the vote, and the money will talk. Why do you think they would do that? That says it all.
So gambling will probably come. Just let’s not pretend that there is not be a price to be paid.
Perhaps we should pass on the additional social costs to Harrah’s too?
“Casinos right across the line in oklahoma and the lottery here. So, all the costs involved are already here.”
…. is a very good point. With casinos already in the state and just across the state line any negative effects of gambling already exist.
By the way, all of you who are steering our moral compass, we already have casinos in Kansas. We don’t even have to go across the line up here in northeast Kansas. There are 4 casinos within our state borders already. How much does the state of Kansas get? Zero, they are Indian casinos. Missouri, Iowa, Oklahoma, Colorado, and New Mexico have casinos, lotteries, church bingo, and other forms of gambling. How come none of you ever quote the misery of families deprived of their life savings by TV Mininstries, Radio Evangelists, or other Christians who take our money. Jim Baker, et al. I believe there is someone in Johnson county right now scooping big $$ from unsuspecting people in the name of religious schools, yet their is no school built yet, or an accounting of what they do with your money. Have you ever seen one of these ” Pastors ” drive a 1985 Chevy or Ford, no I believe Cadillacs and Limousines are their preferred cars. Quit preaching and let the silent majority vote, you may be shocked at how democracy and freedom work. I am tired of the fanatical ideologues getting all of the voice and attention on most issues in Kansas. It seems if you aren’t against abortion, drinking, or gambling you shouldn’t vote or live in Kansas. AMEN for the right to vote.
If the gay partner (gay marriage divorce rate ) split up rate goes up as a result of casinos in a state, does this mean that our conservative legislature will then support gambling? Yes, I am implying that there are a bunch of self-righteous, agenda-oriented, holier than you bunch of politicians that decide our state’s affairs. If you are gay, or from Mexico it appears that the legislature is out to get you. Let’s see, they have passed an English-only legislation, I believe that piece will really improve the quality of life in Kansas. What else have they tried to pass, more ways to punish illegal aliens, not the ones who hire them, and yet, passing a gaming piece of legislation is so tearfully and frightful, that one of our local legislator’s said it was the saddest day of her career when they passed this recent gambling bill. Tell me one single positive thing the english-only bill does for me? What next, Alabaman’s passing a southern accent only law? Thanks for your efforts, I wish more normal every-day Kansans would vote and we wouldn’t get these politicians hell-bent on their own religious agendas rather than what is good for the whole of all Kansans, black, gay, or not white.
I understand that the ability to vote on issues is something that we should cherish, but certainly we need to be aware of the consequences of what we are allowing. Presently we serve quite a few families who are down on their luck. We don’t mind helping – we receive no government help for what we do and frankly, we are running behind on our budget. I drive my 1997 van to help people as often as we can. I hate to see anything that has the potential to be harmful legalized.
“I hate to see anything that has the potential to be harmful legalized.”
So, basically, virtually everything under the sun should be illegal.
It looks like our state is going to the dogs along with the rest of the country. It seems many start into the business with what they term “an innocent lottery” and soon after follows the casinos. It was really only a matter of time.
A friend of mine has felt the pain of this legalized plague in Rhode Island for many years. They are hosts to one of the world’s largest gaming companies G-Tech,who recently built new headquarters in the capitol city, Providence.
Everyday people fly in from all over the world to see how they can get set up with lottery machines and the gaming industry. If you think the mob disappeared…look again…they’ve become a “kinder and gentler” mob, theirrunning the local lottery.
By-the-way…
Government run Casino’s is like the fox guarding the chicken house.