Casino "Facts" ? There are none.

[deuce91]

But once again, it's a bunch of assumptions that are being thrown out in the air regarding this vote. You're assuming that a local company gets the contact from the state. The vote is simple. Yes or no to the Kansas Lottery operating a casino here in Ford County. All the rest of your arguments are null and void until the state contracts with Boothill Gaming.

To me, it's like having Sunday liquor sales. Some counties allow it, other don't. If Ford County was trying to pass the liquor measure, would you expect every liquor store wanting to buy a license to sell to put up information on their building and planning for public inspection? I wouldn't.

[sunny beach]

Originally Posted by deuce91

If the casino passes (yes, I hope it does!), it's not a done deal that Butler OR Boot Hill Gaming will get the contract with the state to operate the casino....

While that is essentially true, Boot Hill Gaming has had a very visible presence in Topeka, both lobbying for it and testifying to commissions. Also, Boot Hill Gaming and Butler National are both Kansas companies, and that will go a very long way in the decision process because the money will stay in Kansas. With the exposure that Boot Hill Gaming has had in Topeka, it would be comparable to a newcomer running against an incumbent in an election. In this case Boot Hill Gaming is the incumbent, and has the name recognition with the ones making the decision.

[deuce91]

I totally agree with you Sunny about their presence in Topeka and even the publicity here in DC. If it wasn't for Boothill Gaming, Ford County wouldn't have even been considered. And perhaps that's part of the problem here, they are too associated with the project they may or may not get.

My only point is that I have heard the Indians tribes are planning on bidding for the new casinos. The state will pick whoever will give them a bigger piece of the company's earnings. So, if Boothill Gaming offers so much for the license but the indian reservations offer the same but then a little more, I'm guessing the state will say so long to Boothill Gaming and hello to more $$. Then the indians will put their casino in Ford County wherever the main throughfare is. Which to me would be hwy 54, outside of DC. So much could change if other developers crop up.

[sunny beach]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I would say it is the other way around -- that the Events center is not dependent on the casino. Let's remember, the events center has been approved, and funded....

The Special Event Center has been approved and funded, but it will fail if only people from Dodge City go to the events. There needs to be a reason for people outside the area to come to Dodge City for an event. The casino would be that reason! People from outside the area would come to Dodge and make an event of going to the casino, seeing a show at the SEC, maybe spending the night in a hotel. It would help draw people here by giving them a reason to come.

Think about it, I have been to many concerts in Wichita, which is about 150 miles from Dodge City. But, I don't just go for the concert, I make a day of it and go to the malls, Best Buy, Sam's Club, eat at someplace we don't have in Dodge. Places like Fazoli's, Chili's, Olive Garden, Red Lobster. Then I go to the concert in the evening. Dodge City has no other reason for people to come here to a concert or whatever. I wouldn't make a 150 mile trip to see a concert if there was nothing else to do. We don't have the shopping, or the restaurants to draw the crowds that would be needed to make the SEC a success.

I would say that a casino would stand a much better chance of being successful without the SEC than the SEC would have without a casino. With a casino come the people, with the people come more businesses. Businesses look at demographics and traffic flow before they make a decision to come into a new market. With the people that a casino would attract, I don't think it would be a far reach to see in the future other places like Chili's, Braum's, possibly even a Sam's Club taking a good look at Dodge City when looking for future expansion.

A "NO" vote tomorrow is a vote for the "Death of Dodge City." Things are starting to look a little better for Dodge with the World of Outlaws here this past weekend and the national coverage on ESPN2 yesterday. The mixed martial arts cage match that was in the Civic Center of Saturday. Don't put a knife in the back of the gains we are starting to see with a "NO" vote tomorrow.

Vote "YES" for more good things to come. More people, more jobs, more tourism, more businesses, more improvements to Dodge, a bigger tax base, etc, etc.

I've heard that the Potawatomi tribe is also interested in coming out here to run the casino -= they are Kansans and experienced. It would add much to the tourism draw of the casino to have Native Americans operated it, don't you think ? That is, if it passes, of course.

[TexKan]

If Indidan tribes are interested they will be a tough act to beat - for sure - but I bet no one entitiy has it in thier back pocket............... lord that would be ................ against the law - right????................... LOL LOL

I would hope whoever wins is the best company for the job - no matter who it is!

"A "NO" vote tomorrow is a vote for the "Death of Dodge City." "

Hmmm, that's certainly not what national experts say about Casino affects on small isolated towns.

However, not having large enough convention meeting center for even small, 500 person state level conventions has certainly hurt Dodge City already.
And it seems that CFAB member(s) is now telling the selected operator of the Events Center to reduce the size of the meeting area BECAUSE the private casino/hotel will provide that space next door ... bet that will be expensive space to use, and for many groups, they will not select a casino hotel for their meetings -- like KS Library Assoc., etc., state level Church group meetings, etc.

So the public use of meeting rooms may be killed. And, seems from reading this board that few care about the conflicts of interest already being shown by members of the private for-profit Boot Hill Gaming Inc. board -- those that also voted for the Events Center operators, etc., without any public statements of their own potentially very profitable personal private involvment in the Casino.

[Made in the USA]

Tell the Indians to stay on their damn reservation, or we will whip their ass again!! Seems to me that they presently have a "MONOPOLY" in Kansas with regard to gambling casinos.

[deuce91]

I never said I wasn't concerned about conflicts of interest. Just that Boothill Gaming may or may not even get a chance at it if the Indians put in a bid. They enjoy their monopoly and will fight tooth and nail to keep it like that. In my eyes, they will outspend any local interests to ensure that they have the market all to themselves.

[TexKan]

I do believe the tribes have an advantage in obtaining the bid - they are very experienced and have plenty of money to spend. Tribes and gaming - it's what they do. I have never seen a shabby indian casino tho so it might not be a bad thing.

Perhaps someday when the illegals own the country they will grant special concessions to us - that's kinda what we did for the Indians............ they are just operating very well in a capitolistic society. We always said they needed to be like the white man........ now they are................ I'm not upset with that - I think they do a good job.