News-Miner Editorial
Gambling with gambling
Alaska shouldn’t roll the dice with a gaming commission
Published Wednesday, August 20, 2008
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Stumble It!With mining and wolves dominating the news and advertising lately, Alaskans haven’t heard much about the measure on Tuesday’s ballot that would create an Alaska Gaming Commission.
If they look closer, they won’t find a pretty picture.
Ballot Measure 1 would establish a seven-member commission to decide which forms of gambling ought to be allowed in Alaska. The commission would be appointed by the governor, insulating it somewhat from public opinion, but that’s not a fatal flaw; the state has many such commissions that work well.
However, the state doesn’t usually turn over traditional lawmaking functions to such commissions. The forms of gambling allowed in Alaska are set in law and should continue to be set there by legislators, not by appointed commission members.
Ballot Measure 1 also should serve as Exhibit No. 1 in the case against making complicated laws via the initiative process.
Consider section 5, titled “regulations,” which purports to outline where gaming activities may be conducted but contains layers of exceptions and conditions. The language comes as close to incomprehensible as anything one will find in Alaska law, in part because its effects appear to depend on whether voters later pass another initiative on video lottery terminals.
How can Alaskans be expected to figure out what’s being proposed here? This is why we have a Legislature — to do the difficult work of analyzing such proposals before they become law. Voting for this measure would be an ill-advised gamble.
Supporters of this initiative, in the state election guide, conclude their case with a humorously backfiring statement: “The majority of Alaskans can seldom agree on any one issue. This is one of them!”
Let’s hope so.
Community Discussion
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If we leave it to the legislature there will never be any forms of gambling allowed in the state beyond what we have now. That is why this initiative came to be. The argument of leaving it to the legislature falls flat on its face.
I'm really surprised that our state never started a state lottery.... What's the downside of that? Revenue generated by something other than our natural resources, what a concept....
Put a casino like they have in Dawson in Downtown Fairbanks....
What a draw that would be for the tourists and locals alike!
Think of the tax base it would provide - - -
Oh - wait - gambling is bad.....it would bring drugs, prostitution and drinking problems to town!!! Oh - wait - we already have that
When does construction start
While I wouldn't mind a casino to attract tourists, I am worried that our city is already plagued by addiction--why add gambling on top of alcohol and meth?
I don't want to seem like chicken little, but I sure wouldn't want to see more of our people suffer from yet another addiction.
Before I jumped in with both feet to support this, I would want to research the impact gambling has had on communities.
BINGO
Well, start with Reno, Nevada then check out Las Vegas before gambling, what were they? Too big? Try any of the smaller towns near them. What were they before? When, not if we get gambling here, think of the hotels in winter. They might actually have guests in them.....
Right, such a brilliant idea. Build a casino in Fairbanks and tourists will fly over the casinos in the lower 48 to come all the way into the middle of Alaska to gamble. Excellent concept. The only winner from gambling is the casino. Most all the revinue generated in a casino in Fairbanks will be from locals and folks from outlying areas and villages. As noted in previous articles there are alot of very serious economic issues at stake for survival because of the fuel prices up here. Alot of talk of prople leavig the Interior because it is to expencive to live here. Now we want to add an economic syphon? O thats right, the Japanes and German tourists will be heading here with all we have to offer to spend their money. Ya, thats right!
Open a casino at Chena Hot Springs in the Ice Palace! Call it the Cold Cash Casino....would be interesting
Why not. We speculate every day with the price of oil to operate the government. I bet that if this passes, the legislator will step in and put a requirement that only a city of 100,000 or more can operate a casino. Anchorage will again be the big winner. The rest of Alaska the losers. You got to know when to hold them when to fold them, and when to walk away.
This town was built on the reputation of a gold mining, out west type of last frontier. To advertise gambling goes with the rustic tourist attraction that we are. At least should be before they completely turn this town into any street USA and loose all of the flair and style that has made the town up until recent years. This is a step towards a larger vision of what we sell as a tourist state that is quickly becoming locked up and full of parks. As gas prices climb and the RV's become less what will the attraction be at such a high cost to travel? No gambling is not the single answer but it is a cog in the wheel of progress.
The real reason that this has failed before is due to the non profits that recieve money from pull tabs. If video gambling becomes legal that industry will faulter and the non profits that use those funds will also. The legislature (elected officials) do not want to be the bad guy and do something fiscally responsible that will hurt these non profits and they appear as villans next election season. Put the power to the people and use their vote to do it. Sounds like the only choice they had to help this move forward.
I agree this will benefit Anchorage and Anchorage alone. But then again, let Anchorage have it and the rest of the communities benefit from it. Anyone who thinks this is going to benefit Fairbanks, the people who build these casinos build them where the population is and the money can be made. Fairbanks will be lucky to get a few card rooms. At least the State may be able to join other western states for a lottery.
A State lottery would actually be better than a casino. I've heard before that a certain native corporation wanted to build a casino on their land.
a no brainer for me, i'll just vote no.
This needs a No vote
The charities fund raising will lose if this is passed...
I have been harping on this for years to our legislators, KFAR, the newsminer and anyone else that would listen....we have the perfect venue, Alaskaland, oh yeah, Pioneer Park, with the Riverboat Nenana, and turn it into a casino/historic gambling village....just however you want to market it! We would surpass Dawson in no time as the tourist capitol of the north!! We would have 20 times the tourism, winter and summer, if we had a casino. The revenue boost would be more than anyone could imagine, and the good jobs that were provided would be fantastic. More hotel/entertainment/restuarant type employment, more tax base, the possiblities are endless!! Please folks, we already have gambling, albeit unregulated. If adults are going to have vices and addictions, they will find a way to get what they desire...no matter what the addiction. We have one last opportunity to transform Fairbanks to something to be proud of again. Something the tourist would want to come here for!! Please give BM#1 serious consideration. For us, and for our children's children. For the future of Fairbanks.
Casinos are everywhere in the lower 48, and as much of a mess as I believe those places to be, I can hardly blame it on legalized gambling...Truth is, water finds its own level, and people are no different.They will addict themselves only if they are already prone to the addiction, and no one and no law can stop that.
Unfortunately, most of the laws that pass today are in one form or another "bad apple" laws that restrict the freedom of non-abusers in a feeble attempt to control those that will continue with their aberrant behavior anyway.
The interior isn't exactly the place to be in winter if you're looking for entertainment; a casino or state lottery will only spice things up for those of us who are responsible enough with our finances in the first place.
I would also like to be the first to apply for a casino license in Glitter Gulch...
Ten bucks says this initiative fails.
It'd be great to have a casino in Fairbanks. Anyone ever been to Deadwood, SD? Great town, clean, casino's all down main street. With its somewhat similar history, I could easily see Fairbanks becoming a northern version of it and doing very well.
http://www.elections.alaska.gov/petition...
Lets start at the beginning and not get tied up with fighting about casinos in Fairbanks which aren't being built.
Is everyone against this measure against the creation of an Alaska Gaming Commission? I personally see this aspect as a good thing for the state and am voting for the measure.
Is this measure an issue with gambling addiction - no. Why? Because you can still gamble now without this. More than once I've been behind someone in line at the bank talking about the poker party that night and how they were going to make a fortune with the few hundred dollars they planned on taking. And don't get me started with all the fools who gamble online or these pull tab fanatics! If you're an addict or prone to addiction, you'll find a way!
I already play hold'em twice a week locally and regularly online. This will bring in the fish so I can make more $$$...
**** Vote YES on #1 ****
I'm all for some other form of gambling like a state lotto or casino (as has been pointed out, we already have BINGO and pulltabs...gambling, yes?) - heck, add the revenue to my PFD! Regarding addictions, people are free to make their own choices. Looks like I'll likely be voting with newsreader on this one.
Let's start a weather, global warming lottery. The person who guess the date, time, and year it hits 100 degrees in Fairbanks wins it all. We probably will all be dead, but our great,great,great, grandchildren can keep on betting. sjould be quite a pot.
Why in the world would anyone give three apointed individuals the power to dictate the future of gaming in the State of Alaska? That should be left to the will of the people.
Charitable gaming was created to support nonprofit organizations that provide vital services in many communities through out the State. Firefighters, search and rescue, childcare, arts organizations, educational organzations, senior services, etc. They will loose substantial funding if this initiative passes. There is no provision to protect these organizations and their services.
The people of Alaska has much to loose to the benefit of a few, well connected, greedy ones.
Amber L.
Vote No on ballot Measure 1
State lottery~yes. Casinos~no.
Too much power for so few individuals. No way do I want more gambling in this state. No on this measure.
I find this talk about welcoming casinos and such hilarious at a time when most of you are complaining about an "energy crisis". I thought so many of you didn't have any money left over to gamble with, what with gas and electric taking most of your cash. Now you want to give more away? Pure stupidity.
This will only hurt our economy, not help it. No one gets rich gambling except the business running it. And poker parties among friends is not the same thing as dumping your money into a slot machine for hours at a time. Play often enough with your friends and it all tends to balance out, you win some, you lose some. But you only LOSE at established gambling.
Remember, what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas. That means your money, stupid.
I'm always for taxes on people who can't do math!
old fashioned bar and gambling house with showgirls and hostesses,
the lady that was known as Lou!
Come on folks, a casino in Fairbanks would be awsome. It would generate revenue and be real popular during the cold winter days and nights. Deadwood in S.D. is a great example of how it could work and we can't use the excuse that it will bring in gangs, drugs or bad people. We already got them here shooting up the streets in the middle of the day. California has the indian casinos and they work well, Mississippi has gaming, lots of states make it work and it boosts the economy. I say vote yes on 1.
A lottery would not be a bad idea but, I am against a casino. Wherever casinos are built, crime follows. I wouldn't be as worried about crime as much as I am but, the police department is a joke. They already don't do anything to prevent the crime that exists in Fairbanks, why invite more.
Been there- Done that...
Kentucky started a Lottery (for Education funding) and now 12 years later there is little evidence and $ going anywhere. The Lottery commission, employees, advertising (lots of it), etc. eats up the proceeds very quickly. You can't pay for gas at the convenient store for the people standing in line for lottery tickets (scratch offs, instant winners, mix and match, and the list goes on and on). And as you might guess, the stores selling 90% of the tickets are in the poorest parts of the cities and the state! They tout the thousands of winners in the ads, but what does a $10 winner do? -Exchanges the ticket for 10 more tickets- And eventually looses.
Now the politicians say Lottery funding is down (It was never up) and isn't making enough money (for them to waste on pet projects) and they are trying to convenience the people that Slot machines at the horse racetracks will be the salvation Kentucky needs. The race tracks owners are the biggest political contributors to politicians- well you can see where this is going. And they are already talking about full blown casinos at the tracks.
My advice to Alaska, Shoot down any gambling initiatives. Kentucky has found out that:
1. Gambling money is not a predictable source of revenue
2. It is a severely regressive tax
3. It simply shows the lack of leadership of the politicians.
Good Luck...
Heck, all of my gambling money gets spend on sled dogs and the occasional beer. Not much left over for Bally's.
Here's what works. Vote "Yes" and legislature has a limited amount of time in which to actually adopt a more workable measure. Vote "NO" and the legislature can continue to ignore the issue ad infinitum. Maybe it is time up the ante and force the legislature's hand.
Just wondering, how many people have been to Dawson and seen that crime ridden hell hole?? That kind of shoots down the idea of more crime. Dawson is a perfect example of what Fairbanks could be again. I was not here prior to Statehood, but have read about our fair city. They had gambling back then. Were we eaten alive by crime then?? I think not. I have talked to many old timers about Fairbanks of old. They talk about the red light district. They even had it gated off so they could have privacy and peace to conduct business. Why have we strayed from the tried and true principles? I say people should go back and read the history of this State and let's go back to having a fun, lively, vibrant town as we had when even I first got here.
What's so wrong with that??
Use the old Kmart building for a Casino. It would be nice to have more diversions in a Fairbanks winter.
Woodman I think if you look back in history Fairbanks has already broken 100 degrees. I may be wrong but I do recall it happening.
Pat
People have talking about historic casino gambling up here for decades, and the legislature has done squat. This measure is a good step to rev up the debate.
While some of the above may be correct in that only Anchorage would benefit, I would love to see YukonJohns version unfold. Pioneer Park would make for a great casino site. We already have the tourists flocking up here in droves. With casinos, they would have a nice, safe, evening activity and be begging to leave more of their money in Fairbanks. That money could easily be used to alleviate property taxes, and it should be.
Then, there is the matter of job creation, both in construction and service.
Needless to say, I'll be voting Yes.
But I wont take your bet, TAC.
Why are most of you talking about casinos? That's not the real issue. The issue is giving the power to create more gambling to a group of folks and not the legislatures. There are other forms of gambling. The pull tabs we have help support local non-profit organizations. these guys could have raffles but it becomes a circus act trying to get the gaming license and such to be able to do that. Now I haven't actually read the ballot measure so I'm not going to say which way to vote just yet. But by the sounds of it, it seems like most other measures this time around, full of a bunch of stipulations , red tape, and crap that the people who wrote them don't even understand.
legalize prostitution too?
mit-sure. People are doing it anyway. Might as well regulate and tax it. Better health for all. Less STD's. Revenue generation for the state. Why should it not be legal to sell what is perfectly legal to give away for free? And if you stretch it far enough it is a form of gambling. You are gambling with the risk of pregnancy, disease, a spouse finding out. Exciting, huh?
NO to gambling prop!
Yes, eventually we will need a gaming commission. Yes we already have legalized gambling in the form of tripod days (talk of a state lotto), Halibut derby, salmon derby, pull tabs, and why should we have to leave the state to go to a casino (Dawson). I buy my derby tickets and my tripod tickets every year. I have been in the casinos in Tacoma, WA, it's not a big draw for me personally. I don't think the commission working out of Juneau will allow all casinos to only operate in Anchorage. We have too many ports of call for the cruise lines that don't include Anchorage. What of the tourists when they come up with their respective tour companies? I can see a slot machine in Deadhorse as the furthest north Slot Machine. I will be voting yes on this one as the regulations for gambling will require a Commission to sort out before our legislators vote to make them law.
Didn't anyone read the initiative? Three people can establish what forms of gambling is to be done in Alaska. The Legislature cannot vote on the matter. The Governor cannot veto or approve. It is just the commission. That's all. And, that to me is dangerous beyond comprehension. I'll vote NO>
I don't see that scenario playing out darkhorse. Besides that, I would like to know how many Department of Revenue people are doing that same job right now.
I see no movement from the State so far and I want to see some action and get started with attracting Harrah's or some other big operators up here to put together historic gambling.
Everyone keeps talking about expanded gaming? Is that all it does?
Just expand gaming? Or does the commission do more?
The way I read it they will be able to enforce laws on gaming and create accountability.
I vote yes for that.
heck yeah lets get that done im voting yes on this one.Leagelize prostation as well and we'd be ahead of the game for a change think of it.Look at it this way making more jobs witch seem's to be a major grip for every one any more and then make the oldest profession in the world legal.
Make it where if you want to sleep with some night walker its at lest safe.Think of it.Std testing every 3 months and no one does anything with out a condom.Put up a whore house or three make sure they are tested for stds and condoms are used at all times and you have a venture that will bring the money in.
How meny people use the system as it stands?No clue but if you make it safe and legal you will find it bring's in a whole new deal for people coming up here to visit.
Brillent thinking now we just need to find a law maker willing to do it.all of the things we complain about is that we don't have enough to do around town.And jobs are a big thing too.So why not go and do this with all of this it would make life better for us all.
Yes to Gambling
Yes to Prostitution
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