Shakopee Chair: Reject expansion of non-Indian gaming industry

Thursday, August 5, 2010  

"For all the same tired arguments people make in favor of expanding gambling in Minnesota in order to place slot machines at the horse racing track, there are still plenty of good reasons against it. As popular as horse racing is with the very small number of Minnesotans that support it with their patronage, it is not that successful. Your July 8 editorial’s written history of Canterbury Park describes a failing industry.

Instead of allowing market forces to take their course, the cry is to bail out horse racing with slot machines. Is it really that difficult to see that the proposal is not about horse racing? Clearly, it is about slot machine revenue. People should remember that although Canterbury Park is publicly traded, it is controlled by seven top shareholders. If it succeeds in getting approval to operate a slot house, the stock value will soar and the seven top shareholders will be enriched beyond anyone’s imagination. Once the slot machine floodgates are opened, the pro-gambling legislators cannot say no to every failing business or every struggling bar located in every neighborhood throughout Minnesota.

Today, there is a balance of gaming opportunities available to Minnesotans. The charities and bars sell pull tabs. The state of Minnesota sells lottery tickets. There are two horse racing venues that also operate card clubs offering poker and a variety of card games. The churches have bingo. And the tribal governments operate casinos under the tribal/state compacts entered into as required by federal law."

Get the Story:
Stanley R. Crooks: Many good reasons to oppose slots at track (The Shakopee Valley News 8/5)