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Local View: Gambling not answer for Nebraska

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By PAT LOONTJER

Monday, Aug 04, 2008 - 12:00:03 am CDT

It saddens me that the Lincoln Journal Star too easily dismisses the destructiveness of slot machines when speaking in favor of the Ponca tribe’s quest for a casino in Carter Lake. Casino revenues today are driven by slot machines. Slot machines have now been shown to draw a majority (60 percent) of their dollars from gambling addicts and are considered the “crack cocaine of gambling.”

Yes, it would be wonderful for the tribe to find a revenue stream to tap. But how can the state’s capital city newspaper seriously support a tribe or any other entity that proposes an activity that draws more than half of its revenues from addiction-driven behavior? The LJS would not support Ponca tribal sovereignty if the tribe proposed selling cocaine from their “health center” in Carter Lake. Cocaine and slot machines are both illegal in Nebraska, and for similar reasons.

Apparently the LJS editorial board was swayed by an off-hand comment of the mayor of Carter Lake suggesting that another casino in the area would not add to Omaha’s gambling problems. But the LJS should know better. A 2002 report by Creighton University Economics Professor Ernie Goss for the Omaha Chamber of Commerce found that putting a casino on Omaha’s side of the Missouri would lead to a huge increase (66 percent) in the amounts gambled by Nebraskans. Location matters a lot.

A new casino will send more people to Omaha’s homeless shelters, where many already identify gambling as the reason for their homelessness. In addition it will increase crime rates in Omaha by 7.9 percent, according to Goss’ report. A new casino may “generate economic activity” as LJS claims, but it will just cannibalize that amount from the rest of the region’s businesses, and the casino will inevitably be managed by a Nevada developer so the profits will fly out of state.

No one seriously expects it to attract any significant outside dollars. Goss’ report suggests a casino on the Omaha side of the river might create new jobs but notes that, in addition to jobs lost in Omaha, 740 Nebraska jobs would be lost outside of Omaha as a result of the casino. It also should be noted that Native casinos are tax exempt and can permit 18-year-olds to gamble. Does that matter to Lincoln’s newspaper?

Do we need to repeat the headlines of nuns, non-profit directors and small business bookkeepers embezzling funds to keep casino revenues humming? Haven’t we heard enough stories about  babies left in cars while parents gamble, spouses killing spouses for insurance money, desperate men gambling every family asset before killing themselves? Few of these stories make it into the newspaper, but this is what drives the revenues of casinos.

The Ponca are not proposing a painless revenue source. Slot machines have no place in Nebraska’s Good Life, whether for horse tracks, hometown taverns or Native tribes. Let’s keep Nebraska the “Good Life State” not the “Gambling State.”

Pat Loontjer is executive director of Gambling With the Good Life.


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UpInSmoke wrote on August 4, 2008 5:02 am:
" What a bunch of jibberish as far as I'm concerned. Why dont we ask the state of Iowa & the city of Council Bluff's what the casino's have done for their bottom line & then ask them what impact the casino's have had on their local crime. Any one who is strictly looking for the negative in something can find it & then blow it way out of proportion. It's people like you Mr. Loontjer, that continue to help keep Nebraska & it's resident's serriously behind the times compared with the rest of the country, Comparing a casino or a slot machine to cocaine is the most obserd thing I've ever heard! Dont hold individuals responsible for their own action's, let's blame the casino's! "

 mitchy_v wrote on August 4, 2008 7:22 am:
" Let's get rid of all forms of gambling. Powerball, pickle cards, keno, bingo. Hey, gambling is gambling right? What ever happened to being held accountable for your own actions. This story is what is expected from someone who is anti-gambling. Just like how Pat just pointed out the negitives, the casino could point out the positives. Quit trying to make decisions for me and let me make my own decision. "

 CS wrote on August 4, 2008 7:25 am:
" "Profits will fly out of state" Are you all using the same script? That particular chestnut shows up in nearly every piece of literature from your group. Many other companies' profits 'fly out of state' as well. The age of majority in Iowa is 18, so legal adult activity is legal adult activity-I and other went to the boats in college as a celebration of a birthday or some other such occasion in the 90s and *gasp* we were 18 as well We all own property and pay taxes now, and there is nary an alcoholic or gambler amongst us. The '18' factor isn't anything new despite your adding it to your argument and trying to make it so.The Ponca are enabled by Federal law, State law, and geographic boundaries to do what they will. I'm particularly offended by your use of the most hypothetical of human tragedies to illustrate this 'evil' that is casino gambling. "Dogs and cats, Lying together, Mass Hysteria!" Cocaine sales, unless something has changed in Iowa, are illegal as well, as they also are on Federal land, so im not really sure where you were going with that one. Gambling activities, and the negative outcomes from them have always existed as long as people have existed, just as they have with driving, joining the Army, and graduating from a public school and not getting a full ride scholarship. Please save the over the top mothering for children, and let the adults make their decisions, however self destructive, on their own, as it is their right to do so. "

 Bubba wrote on August 4, 2008 7:33 am:
" Do we need to repeat the headlines of nuns, non-profit directors and small business bookkeepers embezzling funds to keep casino revenues humming? Haven’t we heard enough stories about babies left in cars while parents gamble, spouses killing spouses for insurance money, desperate men gambling every family asset before killing themselves? Few of these stories make it into the newspaper, but this is what drives the revenues of casinos.

Where did you come up with these scare tactics if they weren't in the headlines? I'm not for expanded gambling, but I don't live in Iowa, am not a member of the Ponca tribe and I don't work for a casino. So what right do I have to preach against it? None.
Cocaine and gambling equal? What's the gateway game? Church Bingo? "

 Ghost wrote on August 4, 2008 8:44 am:
" I guess I don't understand...Slots machines bad, but Keno, Lottery, and Horse Racing is OK. "

 Craig wrote on August 4, 2008 8:48 am:
" You've gotta be kidding me. Have you ever heard of "free will?" So, I suppose she would be in favor of banning tobacco, alcohol, heck - even food. All these things can be addictive and can destroy lives. Oh wait, the majority of us can enjoy them all in moderation, and yes, even gambling. Maybe we should ban automobiles too. Some people drive drunk or drive wrecklessly, so how about we take away everyones cars... Its sad that if I want to play blackjack, I either have to go to Iowa or fly to Vegas (I don't play on the internet, which I could very easily). I say let people decide how they wish to spend their entertainment money however they darn well please. I don't need Ms. Loontjer's babysitting because I and the majority of others can go to a casino responsibly. "

 Nina wrote on August 4, 2008 8:57 am:
" For us the 'good life' includes faith, family and friends, and much farther down the line, an occasional outing to the 'boats,' where we never spend more than a night out having dinner and a movie. Most times it doesn't cost us anything except the gas to go to Council Bluffs, because we about break even between the two of us. We seem to win about as often as we lose. Slots are just entertainment for us, but I do see people for whom they seem to be an addiction. So we will continue our once-a-month jaunt to play the slots ($10 or more free money for slots arrives in the mail), eat at half-price or free quality buffets, and once a year or so, stay overnight free at the posh hotel (we don't spend enough to qualify for higher perks, but are pleased with the arrangement we have.) If most gamblers are like us, I see no reason Nebraska shouldn't have casinos; but if the majority are those addicted, I understand, even though now we benefit Iowa, OR, Iowa benefits us, depending upon which way the reels spin. "

 baloney rhetoric wrote on August 4, 2008 9:20 am:
" CS, your logic should then lead you to advocate for the leglaization of drugs, rape and murder. "Let the adults make their own choices" is anarchy. "

 newspaper reader wrote on August 4, 2008 9:21 am:
" Of all the Loontjer editorials in all the Nebraska papers over the years, this is the best one she has written. "

 JB wrote on August 4, 2008 9:41 am:
" You are wrong Pat.

I don't know of any reservation casino (or riverboat casino for that matter) in Iowa that allows a person under the age of 21 to gamble on slots or table games.

And this whole mish-mash of "oh my God" stories are complete and utter BUNK. Please give me one example of an Iowan killing their baby for gambling money.

Basically you think gambling is immoral. It's against your church teaching, and you've been brain washed to believe it's evil. It's too bad, because while Iowa's taxes lower, and they get richer as an entire population... Nebraska continues to fall off the cliff.

Yet another reason Iowa is better then Nebraska. "

 John wrote on August 4, 2008 9:55 am:
" Yipes, It is strange how all of the people opposed to the Ponca Tribes keep forgetting that the meaning of sovereign Nation, and State of Iowa, city of Carter Lake. They are able to control their own lives with out input fopm the A. G. from Nebraska, of groups of people that have no right in telling them what to do or not. J "

 Brian wrote on August 4, 2008 12:31 pm:
" What's the difference, it's just another way to gamble? We have horse racing, lottery and pickle cards and full blown casinos right across the river. If all that isn't good enough, it's easy to find a guy that takes bets on football or other sports. If a gambler wants to gamble, they will, and already do. Adding one more way won't change anything besides that gambling money is going to stay more in the state.

If it's the Indians that want more gambling, let them. The Indians need the help after all the white man did to them. "

 Gambler wrote on August 4, 2008 1:01 pm:
" It might be time for another vote on gambling in NE, alot of old people have died since the last vote. "

 Paul wrote on August 4, 2008 1:10 pm:
" How is it that a sovereign tribe on their own land is somehow breaking the law if they want to open a casino for which they have a legal right? The last time I looked at a map, I'm pretty sure that land was in IOWA. It doesn't matter if you happen to drive through it on the way to the Omaha airport or not. It's in Iowa, plain and simple. Nebraska has no jurisdiction, and I hope the Ponca tribe is able to go through with it just to stick it to "the man" here in Nebraska! Also, I laugh every time some conservative nut in Nebraska goes off about the ills of gambling. If you're going to ban gambling here, then be consistent and go all the way. Ban keno. Close down Horseman's Park. Ban the Powerball and lotto tickets. And for goodness sake, make it illegal for churches to allow pickle cards and bingo to be used as "fund raisers." That right there is the ultimate hypocrisy. "Gambling is immoral...unless it pumps money into our church! Then it's ok!" "

 Mid wrote on August 4, 2008 2:06 pm:
" "But how can the state’s capital city newspaper seriously support a tribe or any other entity that proposes an activity that draws more than half of its revenues from addiction-driven behavior?" You could make a case for every on-sale or off-sale liquer establishment, and every tobacco store in this statement. As for the impact, I can't imagine that an "addict" would not cross the river, (even without the bridge) to get to there addiction. I would like to see Nebraska pass the law that a casino could be built in Nebraska as long as it was with in "X" number of miles from an existing casino. We would have negligable to no impact as they are allready driving across the border, but we could increase our States funding. "

 I just wrote on August 4, 2008 3:07 pm:
" watched a documentary on NETV about Jack Abramoff and Ralph Reed (Christian Coalition fame) and how they USED the fundamental Christian Texans to make sure Texans didn't vote to have gambling in their state. All that to make sure gambling on Louisiana Indian reservations didn't have any competition AND so that their lobbying business could make lots and lots of money. Something to think about . . . "

 Richard wrote on August 4, 2008 3:47 pm:
" John, Paul you both bring up the fact that this casino would be on non-Nebraska land. You both imply that it makes no difference that you have to drive through Nebraska to get to this casino. You either imply or state that Nebraska has no say in this matter. My question for you is, who do you think is going to have to pay for the infrastructure to access the casino? Whether or not gambling should be allowed is secondary to the fact that Nebraskans, Omahans mostly, will pay for the improvements and maintenance on the roads leading to Carter Lake. Nebraskans, Omahans mostly, will get no benefit from the casinos but will get the big bill. When I see that the casinos will pay for all improvements and maintenance of the access roads, I will consider changing my sentiments for casinos in Carter Lake. Until then, no way. "

 CS wrote on August 4, 2008 4:17 pm:
" Omahan would be paying for the road maintenance whether it was a casino or a Chucky Cheese. If Omaha didn't want to pay for the infrastructure without gaining any benefit, they should have developed something in the area first or made an agreement with the tribe. "

 Outside the Box wrote on August 4, 2008 4:32 pm:
" Why did the most recent casino votes fail in Nebraska? Was it because Nebraskans are morally opposed to gambling? I doubt it. Was it because of the efforts of Ms. Loontjer and GWGL? Possibly, they have a strong grass-roots organization.

However, the main reason that we don't have casino gaming in Nebraska is because the last initiatives were a sweetheart deal written by, and for the Nevada casino owners. We were smart enough to know the deck was stacked, so we folded.

Casino gaming in Nebraska would pass easily if someone could put together a plan that favors the state, taxpayers, and the societal interests Ms. Loontjer protects. Unfortunately, such a proposal wouldn't make the casino owners much money, so it wouldn't work out. "

 whatever wrote on August 4, 2008 6:20 pm:
" I completely agree, gambling is not right for Nebraska but this is Iowa. Let it go. "

 Okie wrote on August 4, 2008 10:08 pm:
" Why in the world doesn't Nebraska check with Oklahoma (i.e. Indian Territory) to determine if there have been any negative ramifications due to Native gambling? With its rich history, I'm sure O.K. would be a good source. "

 wait wait.... wrote on August 5, 2008 10:33 am:
" did you really just compare cocaine to gambling? Last time I checked you can't win money from doing cocaine. Way to twist everything here Pat. You show how much you really know with this article....NOTHING. How do you even get elected to this position? Have you ever been to the casinos in Iowa? How many cars are Nebraskans? Get a clue! "

 Shadow wrote on August 5, 2008 11:00 am:
" Am i on some form of drug that alters reality? from what i know of this (and it has been a while since i looked into it) this casino will not be in nebraska so therefore nebraskans have exactly no say in what goes and what doesnt. if Iowa wants another casino and approve it, they get it. besides, i am sure that the 5 minute difference in drive time will not make a 66% increase in gambeling. matter of fact i doubt there will be much of a difference at all except for an increase in jobs. to sum up... SHUT UP NEBRASKA! "

 Steve wrote on August 5, 2008 12:59 pm:
" Smoking kills and ruins lives yet it is legal in all 50 states. We know that it kills and we also know that gambling ruins lives as well yet why do we continue to do it.....MONEY. Look at Iows they have a surplus of money thanks to the casinos. They build new schools libraries and give money to fix the roads. The state shouldn't have to be a parent to the citizens. Shoud we stop selling cigerettes and alcohol then to? "

 DOC wrote on August 5, 2008 4:00 pm:
" Want to stop this, no problem? Just lobby OPPD and Omaha metro to decline to provide services to a Carter Lake casino. They cover Carter Lake now and can stop the process if the people in Nebraska want them to do so. "

 Jim wrote on August 5, 2008 9:24 pm:
" I'm not opposed to building them within 1 mile of the state line that borders a state with the equivalent gambling types. That way we don't lose Nebraska dollars to border states and there will still be the same building, cultural and social impacts that the casinos across the border place on residents nearby. "

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