Morning Read: More casinos for New York state?
The Albany Times-Union is reporting today that Governor Andrew Cuomo is considering a constitutional amendment that would open the door to non-tribal casinos in New York.
“It’s really not an issue anymore of ‘Well, if we don’t officially sanction it as a government it’s not going to happen.’ It is happening,” he said. “So now you have to go to the second step: If there is going to be gaming, how should it be done? … Is it a Constitutional amendment? I don’t know. But it’s a topic we’re looking at actively.”
This kind of change could have huge implications for the North Country, affecting casino operations on the Akewsasne-Mohawk Reservation, and reshaping the economy of the harness and horse racing industries anchored in Saratoga Springs.
What do you think? Have we already edged so far into the Lottery-Bingo-Tribal-Casino world that there’s no going back? What do you think of the idea of casinos in the Catskills, the Adirondacks…
Not in the Adirondacks please.
It’s a horrible, terrible, awful, bad idea. In the Adirondacks or anywhere in the state.
Great idea! Let’s legalize prostitution too!
Folks just say “its a terrible idea”. Why don’t you say why its so terrible?
I am with you, 8:27AM. I mentioned legalizing prostitution quite some time back during a discussion about legalizing marijuana (which really needs to happen). But, there are people who have some real uptight views about these things.
I think the casinos are a great idea. If we talk about taking advanatge of the “tourist attraction” part of the North Country, casinos would play well.
Yes to all of the above and add the need for topless bars in every town. That way the snowmobilers will come even if there isn’t any snow.
Pete,
gives ‘High Peaks’ meaning a new twist….
All for it. Along with legalized and regulated prostitution and marijuana use. While I’m not a gambler, I think it’s time we broke the monopoly the Native American tribes have on this activity. We need to end the nanny state and let people control their own behavior without big brother looking over their shoulder. I suppose it’s the Libertarian in me coming out.
With so much money involved I think that casinos and hydrofracking are both inevitable. I don’t see casinos inside the blue line simply because it makes more sense to put them in the Catskills where fracking will also occur.
There’s something wrong with an industry, that is happiest when it’s customers lose.
Gary,
yeah, like congress…
Why steal the gambling from the Indians? If people want more access to gambling why not open more stock, bond and commodities trading floors all around the state?
Akwesasne isn’t exactly the model of economical development.
Gambling is a direct transfusion of people’s money to organized crime. No wonder Cuomo is in favor of it.
Turning Stone seems to be a great economic development success. And if people want to throw their money away, why should big brother gov’t get in the way of that decision? Isn’t this “Big Government” at its worst, JDM?
“Gambling is a direct transfusion of people’s money to organized crime…”
Yes, with a share siphoned off for the State and Federal blood banks…
This is one of those issues that I would be torn on. My libertarian instincts say yes, adults in general should have the liberty to choose to live however they want even if it is harmful to themselves.
In the end though I think it is a sign of decay, essentially gambling, prostitution, nicotine, alcohol, pot, cocaine, other drugs are all preying on human weakness and a loss of hope for a society. It is a sign of a dying culture. Now maybe they would legalize some of this stuff gambling included and people would figure that out? But do I want my state and my public institutions funded on activities that in the end hurt people and families?
Free will. Pursuit of happiness. Anything goes.
As far as funding the state with “sin” taxes, we’re WAY past that point.