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 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.
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.
I agree with you Deacon Paul, I don't see it working out anywhere near the way they are saying it is going to be. I'm concerned about the crime it will bring and what it will do to families that have members with gambling problems.
ReplyDeleteI'm getting a brochure at least once a week and sometimes twice. I have already decided to stash one in my desk to compare it with what they actually build. I suspect it won't even come close to what we will end up seeing.
Just think, in five or ten years, we'll have our own version of Jazzland in our backyard. Won't that be fun?
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