So that there is no misunderstanding, please be clear that this not a homily that you usually see in this BLOG..  It is just food for thought. Also, I am not against gambling.  I have been known to purchase one or two lottery tickets when the jackpot hits $200 million or so.  I also enjoy a friendly game of poker and regularly get together with friends for $20 buy in Texas Hold'em.   Last but not least, I have visited Mississippi Gulf Coast Casinos  several times, mostly for shows at the Beau Rivage, but a few times this included a little gambling on the low stakes blackjack tables or video poker.  I estimate that I am somewhere between $400 and $500 ahead when you total out all my trips.

My issues with the Slidell casino proposals are two-fold.  FIrst, those who have promoted gambling (government officiials as well as gambling lobbyists) in Louisiana have never kept a single promise when it comes to the terms, conditions, or benefits. Not a one. Second, two very important officials, Slidell Police Chief Randy Fandal and St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Randy Smith are outspoken opponents.  

History of Gambling in Louisiana: A String of Broken Promises

For those who were around when the Lottery was legalized in Louisiana, you may recall that it was promised that a flat percentage of the proceeds would be dedicated to the schools in the state. The schools needed money, so the good citizens of Louisiana approved the bill.  However, we were snookered by the politicians.  In what amounted to a legislative shell game, they did in fact dedicate the agreed money to schools, but at the same time, an equal amount of money that had been previously dedicated to schools was undedicated and sent to the general fund.  This money became available for pork barrel projects. The lottery has been a net gain of zero funding for schools.

And then there was riverboats gambing.   What was presented to the public was 19th century style paddlewheelers cruising up and down the Mississippi, evoking gambling tales spun by Mark Twain.The 1991 legislation limited the number of caasino boats to 15. Supporters presented it as such that the romantic paddlewheelers concentrated on the Mississippi River would draw in throngs of tourists to New Orleans.  As it turns out, the vast majority of gamblers in the state are Louisiana citizens,

The boats were supposed to cruise for three hours at a stretch followed by 90 minutes at the dock. But the casinos earned at least 25% more when docked. So the Star casino (now defunct) on Lake Pontchartrain began frequently citing the hazard of a gentle breeze to remain dockside. The Treasure Chest in Kenner cited low-hanging power lines and then simply remained at dock after the power lines were raised.

The Queen of New Orleans, operated by the Hilton Riverside, cited fast currents on the Mississippi River to avoid cruising, even though pleasure boats went out every day from adjoining docks. The Boomtown Belle casino in Harvey blamed darkness for not sailing at night. So Casino lobbyist went to work on the Legislature. In 2001, the Legislature ended the need for excuses by mandating that the boats could simply stay dockside.

The land-based Casono at the foot of Canal Street was sold as a small, stand-alone Monte Carlo-style casino, where high rollers in formal wear would gamble the night away.  This casino would have neither restaurants nor hotels to ensure that gamblers spent their money with the existing business in the city.  It was promised that the Casino would bring at least $250 million of revenue to the state.

You may recall that Harrah’s began temporary operations at the Municipal Auditorium in 1995 but generated less revenue thanprojected and filed for bankruptcy months after opening. The permanent casino opened in 1999,also fell short of revenue projections, and it filed for bankruptcy a second time in 2001. Harrah’s executives and lobbyists got lawmakers to reduce the minimum state payment to $60 million and won approval to open a hotel and a restaurant. Quite far away from the $250 million promised.

Revenue peaked for Harrah's in 2008.  They were having trouble meeting their obligations to keep 2400 full-time employee. In 2016, the Legislature gave in to Harrah’s and began counting employees at the Harrah’s hotel across Poydras Street – as well as employees at hotel restaurants – against the 2,400 employee minimum. In 2019, the Legislature approved Harrah’s request to extend its operating contractd for another 30 years and to allow the casino company to build a second hotel and open swanky restaurants. In 2021, the Legislature once again made it easier for Harrah’s to meet the 2,400-employee minimum by approving a bill allowing the company to count construction employees. 

Once they got their foot in the door, gambling companies and their lobbyists in Baton Rouge have gradually convinced state lawmakers to expand their games of chance, lower their taxes and relax their rules.

According to Jim Richardson, the state’s pre-eminent public policy economist. gambling revenue to the state has remained virtually flat since 2007. if you figure in inflation, it has actually dropped by 27%. There is no more blood to get out of the gambling turnip.  This in spite of all the additional forms of gambling approved by the state.  Louisiana needs to look elsewhere for revenue. Or reign in spending.  Or both.

Disapproval By Local Law Enforcement Officials.

In a press conference on June 29, Slidell Police Chief Randy Fandal and St. Tammany Sheriff Randy Smith said they are very worried about the crime the casino might bring.  These officials say an FBI study shows casinos bring in crime, prostitution, and raise suicide rates and they say that’s not what St. Tammany needs.


From those that I speak with around the parish, it seems like one of the highest, if not the highest concern is the increase in crime.  If this is the case, it seems like voting for a Casino in Slidell is tht last thing one would want to do.  After all, the two most prominent law enforcement officials in the Parish have come out publicly and said in no uncertain terms "Don't do this.  It is a mistake."


Promises of Sugarplums Dancing In Our Heads


Peninsula Pacific Entertainment (PPE) is currently in a full-court press marketing campaign to convince the voters of the Slidell area to approve the relocation of their Casino license from Bossier City to Slidell.  They have money and they are spending it.  You may have received one of their glossy brochures touting all the benefits to the people of Slidell including a marina and a new multi-purpose athletic complex.


This is the same PPE who closed their casino in Bossier City because of declining revenue and left the area looking worse than a town with an abandoned Wal-Mart.   Based on their track record, why should we believe any of their promises.  And based on the track record of broken promises from the state government with respect to gambling, why would we trust anything when it comes to gambling.  Some of the things that PPE promises will just disappear because they will not be in the law.  And no problem for those things that PPE finds to be "burdensome"  bit are not in the law. They will just call on the gambling-friendly Louisiana legislature.


Any way that I look at it, it seems like a bad deal for St. Tammany Parish and Slidelll.  I would love to know how you see it.







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So that there is no misunderstanding, please be clear that this not a homily that you usually see in this BLOG..  It is just food for thought. Also, I am not against gambling.  I have been known to purchase one or two lottery tickets when the jackpot hits $200 million or so.  I also enjoy a friendly game of poker and regularly get together with friends for $20 buy in Texas Hold'em.   Last but not least, I have visited Mississippi Gulf Coast Casinos  several times, mostly for shows at the Beau Rivage, but a few times this included a little gambling on the low stakes blackjack tables or video poker.  I estimate that I am somewhere between $400 and $500 ahead when you total out all my trips.

My issues with the Slidell casino proposals are two-fold.
2

The following is a close approximation of the homily I delivered on June 26, 2021 for the 13th Sunday in Ordinary time year B at St. Luke the Evangelist Church in Slidell.  The scripture readings on which this is based can be found at this link.

Life is a very uncertain thing.   No matter how much we plan and how much we think we are in control, the truth is that we cannot be certain what is going to happen tomorrow, much less what next month or next year are going to look like.
2

The following is a close approximation of the homily I delivered on March 24, 2021 at St Luke the Evangelist Church in Slidell, LA for the 5th Sunday in Lent, Year B.  The scripture readings on which is this is based can be found at this link.

It was hiding in plain sight. Have you ever heard this before?  It means that something that seemed to be hidden was actually out in the open.  For whatever reason, we just fail to see it.

The following is a close approximation of the homily I delivered on January 24, 2021 at St. Luke the Evangelist Church in Slidell for the 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B. The scripture readings on which this is based can be found by clicking this link.

In a Business Insider article entitled “16 People Who Worked Incredibly Hard to Succeed” the author wrote about people who did hard things to reach their goals.

The following is a close approximation of the homily I delivered at St. Luke the Evangelist Church for the Feast of the Holy Family on December 27, 2020

A few years ago, I read what was supposed to be a funny story. There is a grammar school that puts on an over-the-top Nativity play each year. They always have a line of people trying out for almost all of the parts – but few for the role of the innkeeper.

The following is a close approximation of the homily I delivered the weekend of November 14 -15 at St Luke the Evangelist Church in Slidell.  The scripture readings on which this is based can be found at this link 

Fear is defined on Websters.com as “an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a threat.. “    .  According to one authoritative list, the # 1 fear in the world is that of spiders.  #2 is snakes.

The following is a close approximation of the homily I delivered for the 19th Sunday of Ordinary time Year A.  The readings on which this homily are based can be found at this link

On the 8th grade, basketball team, I was making about 20% of my free throws. In one game, I missed all 13 free throws. That was the last straw for my coach. He made me shoot 100 free throws or 10 made ones in a row after every practice. I almost always shot the hundred.  But I did get a lot better, making about 65%.

The following is a close approximation of the homily I delivered at St. Luke the Evangelist Church for the 16th Sunday in Ordinary time, Year A.   The scripture reading on which this is based can be found at this link.

In 1948, a medical student named Bernie coerced his girlfriend to have an abortion, which were illegal at the time. He paid for it out of his own pocket.

The following is a close approximation of the homly that I delivered for the 15th Sunday of Ordinary Time Year A. The scripture reading on which this is based can be found at this link

Some of you know that I have been a gardener for over 50 years.  I grow or have grown flowers, fruit and vegetables.  I grow some interesting things.  I had a magenta and a white gladiolus that accidently crossbred themselves in my garden.

The following is a close approximation of the homily I delivered at St. Luke the Evangelist Church in Slidellfor the 14th Sunday of Ordnary Time Year A. The scripture readings on whch this is based can be found at this link.

When I was growing up fathers in popular culture were generally shown as good examples: good character, tough but gentle, wise, strong, and loving to their children.  One of the dads that comes to mind is Ward Cleaver from Leave it to Beaver.
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A LIttle About Deacon Paul
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I am a Permanent Deacon of the Archdiocese of New Orleans with a ministry of charity to inner city youth at Cafe Reconcile.
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