Are the multiplying pro- and anti-gambling ads changing many minds in Sedgwick County? Not a lot, based on a SurveyUSA Poll for KWCH-TV, Channel 12: 51 percent of those polled said they had been for a Sedgwick County casino and continue to be; 33 percent said they were against it, both earlier and now. Only 11 percent had moved from being for it to against it, and only 2 percent had flipped the other way. Still, in a close election, a few swayed votes on either side may be all it takes.
Posted by Rhonda Holman
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31 Comments
That pie chart looks more to be a Poll on if your opinion has changed rather than a Poll on who would vote for what.
A deceptive Poll to say the least.
It’ll be interesting to see how the casino issue shakes out. I’m not much of a gambler myself and neither is Mrs XXX. I’ve been on one gambling weekend in the past 35 years. I’d probably go to a local casino once in a while if we had one.
I’ll be voting yes. I think Wichita could use a new entertainment outlet. And I think it should go downtown within easy walking distance of Old Town.
A friend and co-worker from Boulder got stuck in Wichita Friday night; we’re working on a big project and some of the equipment didn’t come in till Saturday. My friend was “singing the blues” over lunch Friday about his bad luck being stuck here. He’d been here all week and missed his wife and kids. Mrs XXX and I took him to Old Town Friday night. I don’t spend much time in Old Town, either. I was pleasantly surprised at my friend’s reaction to Old Town. He was stunned that Wichita would have a place like that. And he was very impressed. Now he’s talking about bring his wife with him on his next trip here just so she can experience Old Town.
I guess when you live in Wichita, you take what we have to offer for entertainment for granted, but it was interesting to see an outsider’s reaction. IMHO, I think a destination casino would be a good addition to what we have to offer, especially if we could link it to what we already have downtown.
It’ll be interesting to see how the casino issue shakes out. I’m not much of a gambler myself and neither is Mrs XXX. I’ve been on one gambling weekend in the past 35 years. I’d probably go to a local casino once in a while if we had one.
I’ll be voting yes. I think Wichita could use a new entertainment outlet. And I think it should go downtown within easy walking distance of Old Town.
A friend and co-worker from Boulder got stuck in Wichita Friday night; we’re working on a big project and some of the equipment didn’t come in till Saturday. My friend was “singing the blues” over lunch Friday about his bad luck being stuck here. He’d been here all week and missed his wife and kids. Mrs XXX and I took him to Old Town Friday night. I don’t spend much time in Old Town, either. I was pleasantly surprised at my friend’s reaction to Old Town. He was stunned that Wichita would have a place like that. And he was very impressed. Now he’s talking about bring his wife with him on his next trip here just so she can experience Old Town.
I guess when you live in Wichita, you take what we have to offer for entertainment for granted, but it was interesting to see an outsider’s reaction. IMHO, I think a destination casino would be a good addition to what we have to offer, especially if we could link it to what we already have downtown.
I will be voting no on the ballet. I still have this problem with the state running a gambling operation, then telling the public they can’t have a card game involving money in their own house. A bit too hypocritical for me to okay it.
If the Casino loses in Wichita, would it then go to Sumner County or would the gaming people perhaps try to get something near Blackwell Oklahoma?
This isn’t about whether you’re for or against government, it’s about whether Wichita will have another source of entertainment or not. There’s going to be a casino…the question is: where? Why not Wichita?
Whether you’re for or against, you need to get out and vote. I’m betting that a very small percentage of eligible voters will turn out. The casino issue will be like the arena and be decided by a very small segment of the voters.
When the results come in and you don’t like the way it shakes out, don’t whine about it if you didn’t vote.
If you don’t vote, you don’t count.
“This isn’t about whether you’re for or against government,….”
Not true —
It is very much about wether government should own a casino. Why is Kansas the only gambling state that has casino ownership? What business model are they following? Why not emulate the very successful Nevada model? I would think casino ownership puts the state in a position of liability if things go wrong?!? The vote yes group in one of their ads says property taxes won’t go up, might come down. - they have no way of knowing that ….. given the opportunity local taxing bodies will raise taxes for a new jail, tech training center etc …… Why are developers given such a sweet deal? Nothing has been said about the costs to the state for oversight and security, as well as the increased costs of law enforcement etc at the local level.
There seems to be a very narrow focus of the vote yes group, keep local dollars here, very little mention of attracting / competing with KC, OKC, Tulsa etc for out of town dollars. The concept for a downtown casino leaves very little room for a large enough facility to compete with a casino like the one in KC discussed in todays paper. And, I don’t see much discussion for other options beyond downtown or the Coliseum …. and I think a downtown casino will be detrimental to the aesthetic of downtown.
I’m undecided at the moment — leaning towards no because of the state ownership issue — and the Wichita concept for a downtown location is not the ideal for a destination casino — and it really does appear that if it is approved it will end up on the banks of the river, and by it’s very nature will be a gaudy “Fremont Street” impact on downtown.
JW – You make a very good point. It will only be legal to gamble at the track or the casino. We will only have a choice of one casino and we will not be allowed to gamble anywhere else.
The legislature should have done it right in the first place they should have changed the constitution and allowed all of the state of Kansas to vote (not just a hand full of counties) and allow gambling anywhere in Kansas.
This appears to be about the Governor giving gambling to her contributors. Ruffin being one of them (in very large amounts) and he doesn’t live in Kansas. He lives in Nevada which does not pay income tax.
If gaming was done correctly here in Kansas then I might believe that taxes would go do or at least not be raised. But with it being a monopoly then eventually people will get bored and we will be bailing out yet another government program with our tax dollars.
I don’t mind gambling but I really like to do it in style and Las Vegas is hands down the choice for that. You have a lot of choices to pick from, a lot of shows to see as well as plenty of good places to eat. You can walk the strip and see a lot of entertainment for free in the different casinos.
I really think people should vote no and have the legislature go back and do it right.
Maybe they could still go back next year and make it right.
Many must lose in order for a few to win.
Good points ken and sotheysaid. But isn’t it a fact that we can’t (now anyway) change what the vote asks? Whether we vote “yes,” or “no” won’t change where gambling will be allowed legally, neither will it change the question of casino ownership. If I’m misinformed, someone please tell me.
I voted yes on the downtown arena and found out the scare tactics (IF you don’t vote yes you will have property taxes increased!) and the “trust us on design, number of seats, parking…” were tactics used to get my yes vote. By that time the vote was fait accompli. I have regretted it every day since!
I think a yes vote means I want the casino built in Sedgwick rather than Sumner county. I think one will be built in one of those two counties. Where am I wrong? Please help.
Private ownership with heavy government regulation is probably a safer way to go.That way, you have oversight, checks and balances.I predict some trouble, with this system, down the road.
However, that option is not on the ballot, is it?
I thought I read some where that the gov. knew it would be legally challenged — has anyone taken up that chore? Morrison?
Largely correct linda. I would add a twist - vote NO/YES and we get a de facto casino at the dog track and the possibility of another one in Sumner County. With the de facto one at the Track I am not convinced that a developer would fine Sumner all that attractive.
My issue with YES-YES is the location. We are told to ‘trust’ government officials to pick the site.
I can’t wait to see INTRUST, FIDELITY BANK and CARGILL abandon downtown.
Vote Yes, Yes ,that will be some exciting times for their workers!
Corporate heads choosing their fate before every employee registered has their Casino choice counted.
Could someone in those companies lose their job if they vote Yes, Yes!
I keep reading people don’t trust the state to choose a best location comments, this is our process! Every county that approved Casino’s has the same situation.
The Casino location should be supported by the County or City where its located.
Mayor Brewer is aligned with those hating the Century II area for Casino, but he wants the Casino to be here.
The Canadians didn’t drop that idea, they only made statements to take focus off of Century II right now. Their plan can’t cause people to vote NO.
The Eagle NO opinion really pushes my buttons. They could have suggested it’s a poor idea, but they told everyone to vote NO.
They have no right to make a community decesion for the rest of us as a newspaper.
The Chamber has more vested interest in the community with businesses as its members. Their board chose NO over a evenly split membership.
I wish people would hate Casino’s because of religious view or societal fears.
But to mistrust the state and deny $300 Million to be spent in Wichita and Sedgwick County is nonsense.
This isn’t a vote that will go back and make Topeka rethink the legislation.
Topeka is confident they can defend the legislation against lawsuits.
Thank you Ben.
Sounds like some people think their vote will count as a protest to government-owned casinos or to where gaming is legal / illegal. Any votes cast in protest won’t be recognized as that; they’re just votes for or against casino gambling / slot machines in Sedgwick County.
I DO NOT trust government officials. Sounds like an oxymoron to put trust and government in the same sentence.
MRAGE: Having visited with you at a WE Blog meetup last winter, I recall your vision of building a football stadium somewhere in the center of Wichita. You plan is to use PRIVATE funds and NO government funds, and rent to area high schools, small colleges and, yes, perhaps even to WSU.
Whether or not I think that project would be feasible is not important here.
My point is your support of the government owned downtown arena and government owned downtown gambling casino DOESN’T SEEM LOGICAL TO ME. In fact it is detrimental to your vision.
The only possible way this could profit you is if you can ride the coat-tails of these government projects for the free parking that MIGHT be built somewhere downtown.
I talked to several businesses downtown this last week that now want to move out because their parking is already taxed by interlopers and would only get worse with the arena/casino.
Looks like downtown will become a ghost town.
As far as Casino developers spending $300 million for construction of the casino … the way this works is they will get a $300 million dollar development loan from a Las Vegas bank to build the project. Then, we the people of Wichita will be expected to reimburse this money QUICK OR HEADS WILL ROLL. Their is no public welfare by these gambling companies … its all a vicious money cycle.
And CASINOS AND ARENAS work the same way. At about 2 PM, the cash collected during the day’s operation will be counted, packed in leather suitcases and put in waiting, idling Lincoln Continentals. They will be driven top speed though the darkened streets of Wichita, north on Broadway, to NEWTON’S AMTRAK station by 3 AM. As soon as the Amtrak train pulls in, the couriers will enter guarded Pullman compartments to whisk the suitcase/money to Chicago by noon the next day to the gambling bosses.
Wichita will be left with the profits on sales of peanuts, popcorn, soft drinks,and perhaps a cut on the alcohol.
So, MRage, rethink your position. Before its too late, express your opposition to the arena/casino projects to be in step with your vision.
Frankly, MRage, I suggest you select a new goal … that is, to build a state of the art DOWNTOWN BOWLING ALLEY WITH ALL THE BELLS AND WHISTLES AND GLITZ. This would attract tourists from all over the world, not just from Maize and Haysville.
The one thing that I have heard that made a lot of sense, location-wise, was Delano right at McLean and Douglas–that lot is empty and Delano is a neighborhood gold mine the city has taken almost no advantage of…it has history, character, and unique interest. A casino would be right in keeping with the history of the location.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again now.
If Wichita wants to be a tourist destination, all it has to do is build a 3-400 foot tall Jesus.
Plastic dashboard replicas alone would bring in millions and the snowglobe possibly billions in revenue!
How about a big plastic johnson, Johnson?:)
You make me blush delsol!
I was against the casino until the COC was against it. They have convinced me that it must be good for the city because they really don’t know their ass from a hole in the ground.
MRage
“They have no right to make a community decesion for the rest of us as a newspaper.”
They made a decsion for themselves not for the community — everyone else has the right to ignore theire suggestion.
“I keep reading people don’t trust the state to choose a best location comments, this is our process! Every county that approved Casino’s has the same situation.”
I haven’t heard one person concerned about the state picking the location, most object to state ownership of the casino - huge difference.
“I can’t wait to see INTRUST, FIDELITY BANK and CARGILL abandon downtown.
Vote Yes, Yes ,that will be some exciting times for their workers!
Corporate heads choosing their fate before every employee registered has their Casino choice counted.
Could someone in those companies lose their job if they vote Yes, Yes!”
Are you starting this rumor? Do you really think they would risk the lawsuits in doing that. You’re doing the same fear mongering both sides of the issue have try to use.
“But to mistrust the state and deny $300 Million to be spent in Wichita and Sedgwick County is nonsense.”You can’t give us any reason to trust the state. It’s a bad idea for the state to own a casino.
Property tax? both sides use the argument — neither is right or select the future —– Trust our taxes will go up with or without a casino …… Have some one put it in writing that taxes won’t go up if a casino is built — with that person guaranteeing paying everyone’s taxes for 10 years — can’t / won’t do it will they.
Ken,
These are statements from the Wichita Business Journal. I’m sure the Corporate Presidents didn’t ask their employees before making these public comments.
Charlie Chandler said he would consider moving Intrust if a casino came nearby.Fidelity Bank Chairman Clark Bastian, Fidelity Financial Corp. President Clay Bastian and father Marvin Bastian, the family believes a casino near the headquarters would be detrimental to the institution.
“Does a business like ours want to be in downtown Wichita if they’re going to do those kinds of things?” asks Bill Rupp, President of Cargill Meat Solutions.
He would have to consider pulling his 800 employees out of his company’s office at 151 N. Main should a casino be placed downtown.
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You can’t fight state ownership of the Casino by punishing Sedgwick County and Wichita with a N0 vote.
Maybe someday the combined Casino operators attempt to buy out Topeka from owning the Casino’s.
That’s the Casino industry fight with Topeka, not ours!
We’re only choosing to place $300 Million investment money here or to Sumner County.
You hate the near the River location, I like it! I want the City to sell as much property they can to the Casino.
The Library.The Hyatt.
City wants to improve Century II, let the Canadians pay for it, allowing their Casino plan in that location.
Mayor Brewer hating that location actually means nothing. He’s playing to Russ Meyer and NO Casino people that helped him win election.
Century II was never going to be sold but the Canadians plan can still work down there.
Unless you can interfere with some casino operator, they aren’t looking far west, near the airport, to place a Casino at all.
It’s downtown or Park City, the hinted Casino locations we’ve heard about.
Vote YES on the casino. For those voting no on the basis of scare tactics and a skewed social economic impact study, isn’t it time you stop being so gullible in life. The casino is just a form of entertainment that will neither make or break Sedgwick County. Charlie Chandler isn’t about to move Intrust from Downtown Wichita. And, if he did..so what! A new headquarters for Intrust Will result in it’s own positive economic impact in it’s construction. By the way, I’m pretty certain those plane loads of tourists I saw in Las Vegas recently were mostly God fearing Christians. They all appeared to be ordinary people enjoying the variety of entertainment and attractions that casinos offer. Vote YES
John, I decided I would vote yes when I first heard about some Christian group claiming casinos aren’t the “kind of community” we should want.
Whatever.
It used to be a mortal sin to lend money, too, but somehow they got over that.
“put in waiting, idling Lincoln Continentals. They will be driven top speed though the darkened streets of Wichita, north on Broadway”
i’m not sure if this was written to scare me or as humor to make me laugh.
yeah well it’s dumb to read that the heads of banks and a corp say they will move out of wichita because they don’t want to be close to a casino.
i would bet that they will not refuse to sell goods or services to the casino, or it’s employees.
“Does a business like ours want to be in downtown Wichita if they’re going to do those kinds of things?”
What does he mean… If they’re going to do, what kinds of things?People go there to have fun. Yes they spend money. So what. The business owners or CEO’s charge customers interest, and cost of doing business, of course make a profit. They don’t charge middle class people less because they have less.
Maybe the casino patrons and employees should find other places to spend thier money than the banks listed.
fidelity bank has several locations in oklahoma.
did they threaten to close their locations because there are several casinos in oklahoma.
i’m guessing, no, they did not threaten to close their locations in oklahoma.
it’s all about the profits.
I wish people would hate Casino’s because of religious view or societal fears.
But these same religious people do not seem to mind the tacky television ads for every Gentlemen’s Club in town. If casinos are so bad - then get rid of the half-naked girls, as well.
On Aug. 1, 2007 Jim Schuster, CEO of Hawker Beechcraft Corp., sent an email to all employees urging them to vote no against bringing a casino and slot machines to Wichita and Sedgwick County. Mr. Schuster says in his letter that “preserving our community’s values and character is critically important to the long term success of Hawker Beechcraft.” I wonder what happened to Mr. Schuster’s values and character when he stood on the tailgate of a truck and announced that all 400 of the wire-harness jobs were going to stay here in Wichita because of the hard work and dedication of the employees in that department, yet a year later nearly all 400 of those jobs were shipped south of the border to Mexico. For him to now appear concerned about this community is a slap in the face to every one of those people. Expanded gambling in Wichita is a huge issue and each of us should become educated about it. All I would say is be very careful who you listen to. I can assure you that there are others just like Jim Schuster that care more about the almighty dollar than the workers that create that dollar.