15 replies to this topic

[eastsider]

A group called the Texas Gaming Association is trying to get state legislatures to allow a statewide ballot on casino legalization. The group has been developing a lobbying stratagy to get enough votes in the house and senate. Most of the backing for this proposal is coming from out-of-state gambling interest.

Quote

The association, which filed as a nonprofit group late last year, intends to level an economic development argument that has not previously excited lawmakers: It's wiser to authorize giant tourist-drawing casinos — also capturing gambling expenditures made by Texans in other states — than to increase taxes. The group envisions nine location-specific casinos, including one in Austin, and three casinos with locations to be determined.

Austin American-Statesman: Texas Gaming Association plans push for casinos

[rantanamo]

Looks like Dallas will get one.  Don't know if I care or not.

[FromCityToRural]

Hey, I'd be for it, but I doubt it'd get passed. Hell, there's still this ridiculous membership thing here in bars and there's still dry counties here too - including mine (bah!). If we're still so far behind the times on that stuff, then I don't think casinos are going to be here anytime soon either.

[SBCmetroguy]

I'm not opposed to Texas legalizing gambling for the sake of opposing gambling, but more for the reason that Louisiana's two main casino markets, Shreveport-Bossier and Lake Charles, feed mostly off Texas. I believe it was once said that at least 70% of the Shreveport-Bossier gambling market was made up of Texas gamblers, of which the majority are from the DFW region.

Again, this is the only reason I'm opposed; but in the end, what I think will not matter, because I can't vote in Texas.

[richyb83]

I heard the SBC casinos are begining to get some competition for the Texas market from the Indian Casino's in Oklahoma. How many states now have legalized gambling ? I can remember when just Nevada and New Jersey were the only two. After Mississippi jumped on board, Louisiana came along. Now it seems like it's in 50% of the U.S. States ?

Indian Casino's are now in Connecticut, Michigan, Florida, Arizona, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, New York ? Am I forgetting anybody ?

Edited by richyb83, 07 August 2006 - 01:05 AM.

[SBCmetroguy]

richyb83, on Aug 7 2006, 02:03 AM, said:

I heard the SBC casinos are begining to get some competition for the Texas market from the Indian Casino's in Oklahoma. How many states now have legalized gambling ? I can remember when just Nevada and New Jersey were the only two. After Mississippi jumped on board, Louisiana came along. Now it seems like it's in 50% of the U.S. States ?

Indian Casino's are now in Connecticut, Michigan, Florida, Arizona, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, New York ? Am I forgetting anybody ?

Definitely. On my way to Dallas on Saturday I noticed a billboard in extreme west Shreveport, near the GM plant, calling out to the Texas gamblers who are on their way home to places beyond Dallas. It basically asks why you would drive 7 hours when you could drive across the line to Oklahoma and be at the tables, playing, for those 7 hours. Well, Dallas is only 3 hours away from Shreveport-Bossier, so those billboards must be aimed at people from Midland... a market that ison't a known feeder for the SBC casinos.  

Regardless, we are losing market share to the Oklahoma casino with people from Dallas. It's simply closer to them... especially those in the northern suburbs.

[FromCityToRural]

richyb83, on Aug 7 2006, 02:03 AM, said:

Indian Casino's are now in Connecticut, Michigan, Florida, Arizona, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, New York ? Am I forgetting anybody ?

California's had it for a few years now, very controversially. Every election, some issue on Indian Casinos comes up.

I know Illinois has a few casinos, and I think Indiana does too. But I doubt they're Indian casinos.

[Boisefan]

Idaho's Nez Pearce nation has one

[mrchris386]

I think its better that we keep the millions of dollars Texans spend on gambling IN Texas, than to give it away to another state.... . Kinky Friedman has some good ideas for this issue IMO.

[colin]

I was very disappointed when the Tiguas near El Paso lost their court case and had to close their casino.
I personally think that they should be legalized, but highly restricted, as they tend to be economically beneficial and promote tourist in the community.
I wouldn't want to see a casino in Downtown Houston or Austin though. I say keep them on the interstates and keep the large corporations out.

[SBCmetroguy]

colin, on Oct 31 2006, 11:55 AM, said:

I was very disappointed when the Tiguas near El Paso lost their court case and had to close their casino.
I personally think that they should be legalized, but highly restricted, as they tend to be economically beneficial and promote tourist in the community.
I wouldn't want to see a casino in Downtown Houston or Austin though. I say keep them on the interstates and keep the large corporations out.

If not the large corporations, then who? The large corporations are mostly proven casino companies and know how the industry works. You certainly don't want Joe Blow opening a casino.

[SBCmetroguy]

This poll has stayed amazingly close. I know it's only a matter of time, and this poll shows that when it is time, it could be a close decision.

[dgreco]

as long as they aren't in big cities, which I guess isn't an attraction, but you don't want to hurt the current economy.  The casino will depreciate the value of the area a little, and it will also take away from other local businesses.

[WTx1]

Tribes from Louisana and Oklahoma are actively lobbying Texas Lawmakers not to allow casinos in Texas.  The tribes are very large contributors to Texas lawmakers.

[10-SC 1337]

WTx1, on May 2 2007, 09:26 AM, said:

Tribes from Louisana and Oklahoma are actively lobbying Texas Lawmakers not to allow casinos in Texas. The tribes are very large contributors to Texas lawmakers.

^Incredible!

[FromCityToRural]

My political beliefs have become more crystallized in the three years since I posted here; I still believe that casinos should be legalized, just as I believe that prostitution and even drugs should be legalized. Still, with the religious fervour that persists at least in this part of Texas, I don't think it'll come to pass anytime soon.