Opinion: South Dakota should work for an off-reservation casino

Tuesday, September 21, 2010  

"It is beyond my comprehension why South Dakota's business and political leaders have failed to move on permitting the South Dakota Indian tribes to build a unified casino in South Dakota. Some of this lethargy can be blamed on anti-gambling sentiment, but the leaders overlook the fact that there is going to be an operating casino near Sioux Falls. The only question is: Will it be in Iowa or in South Dakota?

If Gov. Mike Rounds would get the South Dakota tribes together and give them the go-ahead for a casino in Sioux Falls, the tribes, along with the state and Sioux Falls, would benefit greatly from the project. It would create good-paying jobs in Sioux Falls, and each tribe would share in the revenue.

Part of the deal for a Sioux Falls casino would have to include the construction of an events center dedicated to the city's use whenever it needs it. By doing this, we can avoid painful attempts to raise the city sales tax to pay for an events center as it would be paid for as part of the operation of the casino.

The real question is this: Will South Dakota's political and business leaders stand up and tackle such a project, or will they be content in two or three years to whine about the loss of business and tax revenue to Iowa if they should pass up this opportunity?"

Get the Story:
James G. Abourezk: Tribal casino deal would include events center (The Sioux Falls Argus Leader 9/21)