Do you support an expansion of gambling to generate revenue for the state?
Posted at 5:00 AM on August 30, 2010
by Eric Ringham
(47 Comments)
Filed under: 2010 Governor's Race, Economy, Politics/Government
Each Monday from now until the election, we'll pose a question on an issue that's pertinent to the race for Minnesota governor. Today's Question: Do you support an expansion of gambling to generate revenue for the state?
Republican candidate Tom Emmer:
We live in a world where spending beyond our means is no longer an option.
We balance our family budgets by cutting expenses to pay for essential needs. Food on the table. Clothes for our kids. The roof over our head.
State government must do the same.
In regard to the expansion of gambling, if the legislature passed a proposal for purposes of expanding economic opportunity and allowing for competition in the existing gaming industry, I would, as governor, have to consider signing the bill. On the other hand, if the proposal was presented as an attempt to avoid taking responsibility in seeking meaningful, serious government reform for our state, I would reject the proposal.
DFL candidate Mark Dayton:
I would consider one state-owned casino at the Mall of America to fund five day school weeks and lower class sizes in our public schools.
Independence Party candidate Tom Horner:
A racino at Canterbury and Running Aces makes sense for all Minnesotans. It gives those who want to gamble the opportunity to do so in the security of a state-run casino and it creates new revenue to help solve the state's $6 billion deficit, all while managing the expansion of gambling in Minnesota.
Comments (47)
Well in my opinion, the state will be violating the gaming compacts that both parties agreed upon in the foundation of creating jobs and boosting the local economy in remote areas of the state. However; granted Shakopee happens to be 30 minutes outside of the twin cities metro. If you look at other remote indian owned casinos, which are in very remote locations...parcels of land that isn't good for any thing and are strugling themselves...Now the racino now project association; want to take away anything beneficial to the native american community, so they can sit back in comfort and eat and drink themselves witless and point their finger at the native american populuation and call them lazy, drunks, incest, ignorant, savages, etc...and the list goes on. racino now is the modern day locust!!! In conclusion; expanding gambling will not only hurt the economy more so, it will be a flood gate to future generations, that expansion of gambling is a hard fact of life, but it is necessary; despite the rise of drugs, prostitution, organized crime, family despair, etc. I guess in the end crime pays... go figure, the love of money is the root to all evil...
Other states have tried to expand gambling in the past, and have found that they needed near constant expansion to keep up with the amount of money they needed to balance the state's books. We could turn Minnesota into South Dakota where you can't drop a quarter on the ground without it bouncing into a slot machine. Or, we could he honest about our budgeting priorities and either live within our means, or tax our way to our chosen lifestyle. The state's Native American tribes have created thousands of jobs and pulled many of their own members off the state's social service rolls through this simple economic development tool that was intended to help them. A mega state casino would not create jobs. It would simply shift them from casinos in poorer parts of the state back into the metro. The unintended consequences of such a move need real consideration. This isn't the free money that proponents claim.
I for one am against a state run casino and/or a racino because its just another band-aid the government is trying to tell the voters that its the only thing that we could do as your publically elected officials. Their would be an increase of violence and drugs around the areas where the casino's just like the the tribally owned casinos. The best thing to do without an increase of taxes or anything along that line is to decreasing spending and pay on the Billion/b> Dollar deficit our elected officials brought on the state. I mean I would be willing to pay extra state taxes to help pay on the deficit just as long as our Elected officials don't increase it one bit or over spend.
One way to prevent them from over spending is to take the money away from their checks if they go over the state budget. That would for sure keep them from going over the budget at all. Or we could fine them personally because the more they spend over the budget the more we as voters go into debt. They should use the tax money in the best possible intentions so we could honestly feel good for who we voted for.
We should handle the debt now and not have our kids worry about it in later generations to where they might take away our Social Security that we have all paid into throughout our working lives and now we should get that in return. On the other hand we should take away their the Elected Officials rights to Social Security if they don't balance the bdget and decrease our state deficit.
I really don't like the thought of a gaming expansion because that won't work as much as they said it would. Look at the Minnesota State Lottery. Remember all the promises that were made than? How much of an impact did that make to us? We now have a growing deficit year by year and decreasing spending on Education for our future voters who are feeling the impact every school year.
I think Education should be the biggest part of the budget due to its our future caretakers of the government state and federal not just a burden in the eyes of our elected officials. Increase in Education Spending would be the best possible way to solve our state deficit because the more higher tax payers the more we get back into our taxes.
All for State run Casino, and don't stop at just one either.People are going to gamble one way or another. Open up a few, dispersed throughout the entire state. They will create jobs for many people and help out the economy.It's a start .
indian casino cheat people at thire casinos . allow state run casino to be run under state controls. and the best place to start one is the soo line rail road area in down town mpls. increse state revenue, increse jobs, more hotels and otherbusiness down town. more construction jobs every body wins""""""""""
Gambling is a social ill. It is not a "progressive tax", it affects those who cannot afford it more than the rest of us.
We need honest tax structure, not those based on "gaming".
I also agree with Shane's response, and Kyle's.
Regarding any attempt to increase taxes, particularly by phrasing the issue with pseudonyms like "user fee" or "revenue generator", I have one question: where does it end?
I agree with Shane. I'm no expert on gambling, but it seems to me it would be an unhealthy "band-aid" fix to a really big problem that needs to be addressed in a more systemic, healthy way. I am personally all for finding ways to eliminate waste and unnecessary state spending - without raising taxes.
The analogy to a family budget may be overused, but it is accurate. My wife and I have made choices over the course of our marriage about where to spend and where not to spend. We don't have the latest TVs or cars, and we don't need them. We don't live in a fancy house, but it is adequate. We use credit cards for convenience but pay them off every month. Yes, we are truly blessed to be able to do these things. But the flip side is we experience incredible freedom from living within our means to pay. Government should do the same.
As long as it's for a new VIKINGS Stadium.Go 4 Vikes!!
I've always felt that legal gambling is little more than a tax on stupidity. If you feel you get your money's worth of entertainment out of pulling the handle on a slot machine then by all means, play away. But if you do it to win money, you're a fool-- the odds are against the player in every casino game, often considerably so. Ultimately, the house always wins.
Some of this money ends up in state coffers, which is the only reason the gambling is legal at all. The self-selection is a nice touch (you can choose to gamble, but you can't choose not to pay a tax), but ultimately gambling draws money to the state from people's pockets. It's a tax, targeted at the foolish, and one that can take far more of a person's income than a small or moderate tax hike. It'll generate money for the state, but it's not all that honest a way to do so.
Oh, I forgot to add those whose lives are ruined by gambling costs the state multi-millions and never mind the unrecoverable debts.
Treatment for those afflicted is paid by, you guessed it, the state/government.
Gain in revenue? No, more like a cost...
Never mind the factor these people are never helped before its to late...
Sorry, its like refusing health care until its a emergency and then Costing the State Millions of Tax Payers. A lot more then if the initial Dr visit was given, by a factor of 10-100x more.
I guess this is another bright idea from the Plutocrats.
First off this is like asking: We have a alcoholic, should we hand them a bottle of Vodka?
I worked at a casino I see what it does to those who can not control addictive behavior.
It does not produce anything, it takes and then gives a small amount to a single person.
Those who seem to want it have NO understanding how regressive it is. And have no understanding those that are hurt by this activity are those who need the help the most: The poor, unemployed, and in this case that includes those 'recently' laid off and now poor/unemployed.
This is just a bunch of people who will always find some LAME excuse to open up gambling.
The Native Americans who have gambling generally do not gamble themselves. They are NOT stupid like Whitey. Granted a few do, but the revenue they are soaking up is greater then the occasional quarter they drop.
Also look to Nevada where the Economy is WORSE. Seriously, whose lame idea to think this is even a valid and legitimate question to really ponder???
Our problems are greater then just a bottom line budget making revenue.
Its a problem of teaching to fish, not handing out fish. Did I mention the Dislocated Worker Program is empty? People waiting two years now to get in? That would retrain people for a new job at least...
YES I tihink it would be OK. I don't think it would increase the number of people gambling but would only redirect people from some of the casinos to the state run locations and the money generated could be dedicated to good causes.
First of all there was a bill the past two years that you need to understand:
1. The votes were there to pass it last session.
2. It brings over 1 billion dollars per biennium to the
state of Minnesota in direct funding.
3. It brings over 200 million per biennium to charities
4. It brings jobs and income to 3,000 businesses
throughout Minnesota.
5. It is the conversion from paper to electronic pulltabs
only in establishments that currently have paper.
6. It has been in place in other states for years and
the numbers are easy to verify.
7. Oregon with 69% of our population and nine Tribal
Casinos bring about 700 million to its general fund
annualy. You do the math!
Absolutely not!!! Gambling is a net cost to society, not a gain. The costs relate to gambling addiction and the result of gamblers who deplete their resources in the hopes of an easy gain. In addition, this is an amoral way to raise money since more users of gambling devises are low income folk.
Suggesting the use of gambling to raise money is a lazy ploy Instead the candidates should propose a fair revenue policy.to deal with our revenue problem. I wonder if any of them have the courage to do so.
Yes I would support state run casino's, or even video poker in bars. Unlike the Indian casinos they would be smoke free. That is the main reason I don't go to casinos, other wise I think it would be fun once and a while. When a person or family's budget isn't being met what do they do.? First they cut expenses, then if that doesn't work they increase their imcome through more work. The state needs to do both. The state doesn't need to legislate our morals. People will choose to gamble if they want to. Those who are opposed to it, can choose not to. Those who need help with their gambling "addiction" can seek help just like with any other addiction.
No. While I personally enjoy the social aspect of gambling at church fundraisers, pull tabs with friends and cards with my buddies, I do not think it is a good idea to further push society to the solitary world of granny chainsmoking next to a slot machine.
Reduce spending and increase taxes for people across the board - we all benefit from state services Lets have everybody pay and every suffer together.
No. This is just another way for the government to try and put a temporary fix on what is a serious long term problem. The government needs to stop looking for more ways to pry more money out of our hands and figure out a way to live with what they have. And if I had it my way they would learn to live with less than what they have.
I totally agree with state owned casinos - it would have happened long ago had not the Native American lobby been so generous to each party. Wake up and do what is best for the general population and not the lobby interest.
Yes
If by putting these games in local restaurants and bars to help out charities and local communities as well as the state debt, I'm all for it. We are facing some tough times in Minnesota and some folks need to be helped out. In most small towns charities were always there to lend a helping hand to anyone in need. Now, not so much since the money just isn't there. What will this hurt if we give this a shot. Nothing else seems to be working.
Absolutely not.
The Native American population has been screwed over and over for years and years. At long last they have been given a means to acquire some resources from the invaders. It is disheartening enough to recognize that this modicum of "repayment" is offered by way of increased vice in the state, and I cannot support either (a) stealing any portion of our debt repayment to the native population nor (b) state-supported expansion of vice.
I would wholeheartedly support increased "sin-tax" on tobacco, alcohol, and junk "foods". An increased sales tax percentage on these unnecessary, optional vice items would raise a lot of cash for our state.
A major casino at or near the Mall of America would generate ??__$$$$$__?? What are the educated estimates? We need a NUMBER to seriously consider this. My guess - enough to solve our budget problems .... and pay for EARLY INTERVENTION and ONGOING counseling for all of the new gambling addicts that IT would create. BUT, we need to preserve the net profits for the COMMON GOOD / NOT for the Vikings who have enough profits to pay for their own stadium. ETC. I do believe this has the potential to do WAY MORE GOOD THAN HARM if managed for the COMMON GOOD. And I don't accept that the COMMON GOOD is a matter of opinion. It is a matter of FACT.
Absolutely not. It' would be the State equivalent to me buying a lottery ticket. Ignoring the fact that I would be spending my money, there's no way to know how much I might win. Sure wouldn't be a reliable way to balance my personal budget. How can our candidates (and others) predict the revenue that might go into the State coffers? I'm not opposed to gambling, but I sure am opposed to it as a State program for balancing the budget!
I work for the Minnesota Licensed Beverage Association. I have been following the gaming industry for many years.
I've been watching the dismal forecast for our finances in Minneosta. By allowing the legalized forms of electronic gaming in our bars and restaurants and supporting our charitable organizations, I found it would:
produce more new revenuye for the state, over $1Billion,
produce money for charities, provides a stimulus for local small businesses and jobs and above the money it puts in the general fund, the MLBA proposal provides jobs and charitable donations for communities throughout the state of Minnesota.
Definitely need this!!!! Why focus on a few areas in the metro, when we can put a few machines in each local gathering place statewide and generate more income for the state? This could help bring in new state revenue without increasing taxes. If you haven’t noticed we are almost 7 Billion Dollars in the hole and things are not getting any better.
I've heard all the arguments for and against expansion of gambling. With a $6 billion deficit, now seems to be the perfect time to make this happen, and I'm all for it. Of all the proposals and ideas that I've heard, it makes the most sense to me to allow for our hospitality industry (bars and restaurants) to produce revenue for the state through gambling. This would provide revenue for the state budget, but also would support local economies in every corner of Minnesota by helping a struggling industry. As I understand it, this would also produce a significant amount of money for charitable groups like youth hockey clubs and volunteer fire departments. If we're going to do this (and it certainly makes sense), we should have a robust plan that supports the state budget, charities and small businesses everywhere.
Absolutely! Though I do not support gambling per se, with 16 or more Native American casinos in the state, one more will not make a difference as far as promoting the access to gambling. What it will help is to creat competiton with the monopoly these other casinos enjoy. They do not pay any taxes to the state and at least up where I live (north central MN) the Indian casinos do not support the community they are located in ( as far as donating to community projects). Also up here the average Native American I have met, does not benefit directly (get a payout) from the casino -they seem to have no idea where the money goes. Where a lot of the money does go is to politics, though with all the different PACs that are set up it is hard to find out exactly how much is given and to whom exactly (though in general Democrats are favored, as you can tell by their support of Indian only casinos). Wise up voters -this is not a moral issue but a political one!
Just to be clear, casinos do not make money. They merely redistribute it according to arbitrary rules that have no logical connection to the well-being of humanity. Casinos are economic leaches.
18. That's the number of casinos currently in Minnesota's borders. $0. The amount of taxes received from their gaming operations! Anyone not wanting the state to be able to generate tax revenue on all that income is either ignorant or can't do math becuase those casinos make billions of dollars. Yes, billions. I worked at one for 8 years and had direct access to their numbers. The state should not own a casino, but they should allow for private enterprise. Also, the revenue should be kept outside the general fund. It could fund special projects or be used as a "rainy day" fund.
Absolutely not. One of the most interesting things about my return home from Iraq was to learn about the spike in online gambling by young soldiers. It's risky behavior and they get an adrenaline high from it, replacing what they felt on gun trucks. In the end it winds up being addictive behavior and a problem for their families and society. Expanding gambling in any form will have the same effect.
Having our state government expand income through gambling would be a move in the wrong direction.
It would prey disproportionately on those who make poor choices managing their own money. Like cigarette taxes, it puts the state in a position of relying on a vice to maintain it's budget. This gives leverage to lobbyists.
Gambling should be taxed, but we should not be looking to expand the share of our economy it represents.
I believe it is time to take advantage of the newest forms of electronic forms of legalized gaming to all of Minnesota. I recognize there are gaming related pitfalls. But this is adult entertainment. We should do what we reasonable can to help those adults that have problems with this type of activity, but life is full of risks, and if you live in fear of them or try to mitigate or legislate them out of existence, you take the joy out of living, or in this case the choice to spend your own personal funds.
No. We need to stop with the funding games and get back to basics. Smart, progressive tax policy is what we need. We need to stop thinking taxes are inherently bad...they are not. They are a necessary part of a well-functioning society. Get back to fair and adequate tax policy.
No.
The state budget needs to be tied to more predictable, broadly based revenue streams. Trying to balance the state budget on the backs of gamblers, boozers and smokers is short-sighted and a recipe for disaster.
No. We must reduce spending.
DTOM
I support the lottery but realistically how much revenue would actually come in from that? It is a voluntary tax which is good, however, when a person goes broke because of a gambling problem who pays?
Personally, no I do not support expanded gambling to raise state revenues. What I always find puzzling though is that people are willing to pay a voluntary tax, such as gambling, but never raise taxes.
I would be very happy to see an expansion of gambling in the state. I know this might hard to believe but some people enjoy gambling, and gamble responsibly. I would love to see sports gambling legalized. People bet on sports all the time online and through bookies. The state is missing all of this revenue.
This is a great state filled with wonderful, smart people, but Minnesotans are such pansies regarding the liquor store sales and hours, medical marijuana, and especially gambling. Lets all grow up and make some money for the state!
No! Generating revenue by exploiting people that have gambling additions is morally reprehensible. If the state needs to increase its ability to generate revenue, it should do so by adjusting tax rates and if legislators do not have the courage to do this, perhaps they should consider an alternative line of work.
NO!
Gambling is a social ill. It is not a "progressive tax", it affects those who cannot afford it more than the rest of us.
We need honest tax structure, not those based on "gaming".
No, I do not support an expansion of gambling to increase revenue, for many of the reasons listed above.
While I don't know the ins and outs of revenue gained from gambling, I understand that the poorer citizens gamble more. We should not be encouraging the poor to spend their money in this way, nor should we encourage anyone to gamble. (Expansion = encouragement)
Also, let's not "gimmick" our way out of the budget deficit, in the words of some above. We need to make serious decisions with difficult solutions. Expanding gambling is an easy way out that is not good for Minnesota.
No! People have the right to be stupid with their money, but the government (we, the people) should not be encouraging it.
I don't care one way or another. It is a regressive tax, but one you have a choice about paying. However, I do see it as yet another budget gimmick. I would rather see our legislators negotiate real budget solutions that are fair to all and provide for the common good without relying on gimmicks.
I am leary of the desire to save people from themselves. Given a choice, I would opt for the legalization of marijauna, prostitution--and gambling. If we legalize all this cool stuff, why not tax it?
No ! It's a regressive tax by all definitions. The poor are pryed upon. But I guess we're doing that already. The agenda here is to build a new stadium. Let the prople who profit built it. Free trade isn't about what a business can do to convince government to pass it dollars. It's about what it delivers for a product and the profit it can make from that product. If a business uses government dollars the arrangment is called a subsidy. When a govermental body builds a bridge or a school it is not building directly for monetary profit.
No. What has happened to our society? Gambling produces nothing. In order to have a few winners, ie. the state and some of the ganmblers, many have to lose. The American dream used to be to finish school, get a good job, buy a home and raise a family. Now it is to hit the lottery or the slots. What does this say about us?
Absolutely! This is not only a progressive tax, it's one I can choose whether or not I want to pay! Also, you can get people from outside your state to come & pay your taxes! What's not to like!?
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