Opinion

Casino Endorsement

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Today voters will consider the Dejope Revenue Sharing Agreement, a deceptively worded referendum that would open Dane County’s gates to the social ills that residents pride themselves on keeping out.

The agreement would allow the Ho-Chunk Nation to convert the current Dejope bingo hall into an expanded casino that would drain the county of discretionary revenue and detract from Madison’s reputation as a clean and healthy city.

Economic estimates show although the casino would bring more than $50 million into the county every year, over $85 million would leave southern Wisconsin, leaving residents with an annual net loss of over $30 million flushed down slot machines.

Just where would this discretionary money go? Upstate to Black River Falls, home of the Ho-Chunk Nation. And while it might seem a charitable cause to aid the Native Americans, offering a helping hand out of poverty, the reality is that with three bustling casinos and a bingo hall already in the state, this particular tribe could not be further from the likes of Wounded Knee victims.

Moreover, a casino could prove detrimental to the downtown Madison community. The Ho-Chunk have pledged to avoid scheduling entertainment acts that conflict with those at the State Street venues that offer this city its distinct flavor. But the reality is that when given a choice between playing the Orpheum and a casino venue, most acts would happily accept payment in black chips. So while the dates may never be in conflict, the revenue sharing agreement would likely come up short in terms of talent sharing.

A casino will create a population of problem gamblers within Dane County that residents, not the Ho-Chunk, will be forced to deal with. Not only will these casino regulars burn their discretionary income in the palace of bright lights, but, statistics show, some will turn to crime as a means of supporting their habits. This will adversely affect all of Dane County, even those who elect to never step foot in the gaming parlor. Ho-Chunk plans to run a regularly scheduled shuttle bus from the Memorial Union to their facility would bring these problems directly to the heart of campus.

For those Madisonians who wish to invest in games of chance with stacked odds, the Ho-Chunk casino in Baraboo is a short drive away. But for those who wish to invest in a prosperous community that will continue to be ranked among America’s finest places to live, polling places are within walking distance.