California Deal Authorizes Huge Casino Near Oakland

[Snellius]

SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 19 - Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger announced a deal on Thursday with an Indian tribe that authorizes construction of the largest urban casino in the country on the site of a former bowling alley across the San Francisco Bay from here.

The agreement, with the Lytton Band of Pomo Indians, will create a casino bigger than any in Las Vegas or Atlantic City along a major commuter freeway in San Pablo, an economically struggling town about 15 miles north of Oakland.

The casino, if approved by the State Legislature and the Department of the Interior, could have as many as 5,000 slot machines, making it the third largest in the United States. Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun, both in rural Connecticut, have 6,600 and 6,200 slots.
...
Mr. Schwarzenegger strongly criticized the influence of Indian gambling interests in Sacramento in his campaign last year against Gov. Gray Davis, expressing particular opposition to gambling in metropolitan areas. But with the state in financial crisis and the Lytton Band entitled under federal law to build a casino in San Pablo, Mr. Schwarzenegger decided to use the negotiations to extract money from the gambling operations to increase state coffers and ensure that negative consequences, like traffic problems, could be addressed, state officials said.

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/20/national/20casino.html?hp

[AlCzervik]

1. The last thing we need here is another Fing casino!!!!

This has gotten way out of hand and what really pisses me off is that the planners and the gropenfuher know damn well who'll be spending their money there and it aint rich tourists.

[kaos]

3. The bay area..

So what should we do with the unemployed?

[AlCzervik]

5. How many people are they going to hire?

unless it's into the high thousands i think the downside outweighs the benefit of a couple of hundred jobs.

[kaos]

10. The bay area..

The proposed new building for gamblers and employees has 8 floors...
CA will be shortly turning Las Vegas...

[The Straight Story]

6. So they are powerless?

People make their own choices to go to such places. I do understand what you are saying, and the direction you are coming from. Many churches oppose such places for similar reasons (and other things, like strip clubs, porn, et al).

Is it your belief/idea/gut feeling that people cannot stop themselves from such a thing? If people desire such a thing there they will go, if not it will go the way of the many fast food joints which come and go. But I am not totally lost to the point mind you.

IF they feel it is ok to open this one, why not give carte blanche to anyone who wants to open them? Why not have them on every corner, able to be ran and opened by anyone who has the ability/desire to do so?

If the effect/cost on society is 'bad' than by what moral measurement do we gauge such? What belief system drives us to, as a society, to say that such things are a detriment to the overall good?

I am not trying to be facetious here, just trying to get a bearing on the moral compass. If we 'know' people will not be able to use their abilities to refrain from something which we deem bad for them should we work to prevent them from being able to do it, or butt out? Are we morally superior to the extent that we know what is best for them, and are there those who know what is best for you/us?

Just a discussion and I mean no disrespect to you, I am interested in many ideas and views from others.

[AlCzervik]

8. We have all the casinos we need already

and when it comes to lower income people there has been study after study done showing how it's them who buy lottery tickets and scratch tickets and play slot machines. Should they have more self control? Yes but many dont and it just adds to the problem.

[Lucky Luciano]

13. I agree 100% with this post...

Of course I am a professional gambler very adept at Texas Hold 'Em and card counting in blackjack so I welcome all casinos with open arms....I NEVER play any other games since the odds re not there...only morons play slots/craps/baccarat/roulette etc.

[kaos]

14. odds

Morons are going to pay 25% to the gov!

[Lucky Luciano]

15. Consider it the "Tax on the Stupid"

Lottery tickets are another way of taxing the stupid...

[AP]

17. They're never going to contribute enough to tax base to pay for the ...

...services they need when they're unemployed, impoverished, need treatment for their gambling addicition, and have no retirement savings. Then it becomes a tax on everyone else, and a huge opportunity cost for society. Gambling is a greater social cost than benefit.

[The Straight Story]

16. Some people play responsibly

I don't think we need to over legislate for those that do not, the 'problem' people are the ones which we should reach out to, but many play responsibly and should not be forced to not play because some will 'abuse' it (however the moralists define that).

The rich may not need to gamble (but they do), and the poor may pin some hopes on it, but the goal should be to enlighten those who do not understand, and not to force all to change for the few.

[Snellius]

2. If some Dems may have a moral weakness when it comes to sex,...

Repubs have trouble upholding their virtue when it comes to money.

[kaos]

4. Repubs

Arnold ain't a repub he is just playing a part in a Hollywood movie..

[kaos]

7. Snellius..

I am now out of the 700 club after almost 3 years....Damn you to hell.
LOL's........

[Democat]

9. How much did the trible donate to Arnold?

If this was Gray Davis the media would be outraged!

[kaos]

11. If this was Gray Davis the media would be outraged

Yeah right..HaHaHaHa...

[NashVegas]

12. Anyone Looked at a Map Lately?

Looks like payback if you ask me.