”
Gambling promises the poor what property performs for the
rich
– something for nothing.
”
~ George Bernard Shaw
“Gambling promises the poor what property performs for the rich – something for nothing.”
~ George Bernard Shaw
I was surprised to read in The Dispatch last week about an Indian casino being proposed for Gilroy’s backyard so to speak, San Benito County just south of the Santa Clara County border next to Highway 25.
It never fails to amaze me how the gaming casino advocates are always touting their industry as being a real boon to an area for which they seek entry. And it always seems to be sold on jobs, and more jobs as the primary benefit.
In fact, according to the article, some 1,500 to 3,000 casino jobs might be created, along with the “invigorating” of the local tourism industry. Of course, the “easy profit” motive is never touted as the primary reason for such a venture. Just remember folks, casinos stay in business because (and here’s the no-brainer), more people lose money gambling than more people win money gambling. Bingo!
Think the Outlets are crowded now, and local traffic is a mess? Just wait. If this casino comes into reality, then kiss present-day Gilroy goodbye forever, and say hello to a genuine conglutinated muddle of added population, traffic, pollution, commercial sprawl, and the absolute opposite of what I suspect most people who live here really want. This cute little local casino “gremlin” when doused with the water of operational reality will become a monster preying on the very people who welcomed it with open arms.
After all, wasn’t it the semi-remoteness of Gilroy/Hollister that made it so great an area compared to the cities to the north of us? Now however, it seems greed and political game playing might well suck us too into the same swamp. I’d hope the local environmentalists who fought so hard against the Gilroy Super Wal-Mart will dust off their swords and arrows and now with the same vigor and zeal, take aim at this environmental hazard waiting to happen. And I’ll guess that this thing will have a lot more cars visiting it (24 hours a day, 7 days a week) than a Super Wal-Mart’s going to have. Will there be an environmentalist double-standard here?
As far as jobs go, I suspect that one other job that will need to be increased at taxpayer expense if this thing is built is law enforcement. The article said San Benito County Sheriff Curtis Hill is staunchly against the idea, saying it would lead to more crime and damage the local environment. He should know about the crime statement along with more law enforcement to police the increased people problems and traffic issues such establishments create.
Speaking of increased crime, don’t let the gaming industry fool you into believing that casinos don’t attract it, or are as retail-innocent as the local Outlet stores. Theft, embezzlement, fraud, prostitution, drugs, and organized crime influence are all the very possible fruit of this pleasure palace of fun.
And of course, where big money and power are involved, political corruption is always possible, and often seeps into both city and county government as well as local labor unions controlling casino employees. Think it can’t happen here? Guess again. Since most politicians have as much moral turpitude as a centipede, for the right pay-off price anything’s possible. Labor leaders are no better.
Still another negative feature against a local casino involves an argument researchers debate, which is, those who can least afford to gamble usually are the most affected. “The poor spend a greater percentage of their income on gambling than the wealthy, giving gambling the same effect on incomes as regressive taxes – the poor are hit the hardest,” according to one research source I checked. But as the poor get poorer, welfare costs are bound to increase dear taxpayers.
Watch, however, in the coming months for the high-paid PR spin-jocks go to work painting the picture different. Their incessant media message will be “It’ll benefit Gilroy and Hollister!,” “More profit for local businesses!” “New local area jobs!” – and like the children following the Pied Piper of story fable, the masses will no doubt believe it.
So, what do I say to this proposed casino? “Not in our backyard.” As far as I’m concerned, author Dan Bennett is correct when he wrote: “One of the healthiest ways to gamble is with a spade and a package of garden seeds.” Go build your casino in Sacramento County.
