Gambling in Dodge City

[Detector]

Its a sad story for sure. Allow me to play the armchair psychiatrist.

You might call it a Jesus meets Hitler syndrome. These types see themselves as a Saviour of the people who's goal is to save the people from themselves. They believe people are too stupid to let them make their own choices, and see their role as winner among losers.

They don't care if 90% of the people choose a path, if its not the path they see fit, then its the wrong path and it becomes their goal in life to change that path at any cost. After all these are people that just don't know whats good for them.

I think this behavior begins at an early age probably due to over protective parents. With good intentions, the parent(s) do not want to see their child face failure not realizing that learning to deal with failure is far more important than dealing with success. We can all deal with success, its failure that can be hard to deal with.

These are the kids whose parents used their influence to protect their kid(s) from facing reality as most know it. They used their influence over the school system, often in the form of having influence over the board, to ensure special treatment of their child. These are the kids that decide what the neighborhood kids are going to play no matter how many want to play something else. They do it because they often either own the field and the ball.

Unfortunately, these types tend to end up as leaders saving us from ourselves.

Ironically, While they see themselves as winners the rest see them as losers.

It should be a simple process. Put the vote to those concerned and except the results.

[Mike B.]

Detector,

I guess you are referring to those people, who oppose expanded gambling, or maybe the Indian tribes who do not want to see any competition.

You can't really fault the Indian casinos, they're looking out for their best interests.

As for your analysis, your argument seems to make sense, but you left out a very important element. Expanded gambling does affect society as a whole.
The crime rate increases where gambling occures.

Does everyone agree that a casino will be an economic benefit to the county that gets one?

No. Baylor University professor Earl Grinols, who has been monitoring the effects of gambling since 1990, has concluded that the economic benefits are far outweighed by social costs, which can be measured in increases in crime, divorces, bankruptcies and suicides.

He calculated the economic benefits at about $42 per adult per year, and the social costs at $214 per adult per year. After studying crime trends in all American counties, he concluded that crime rates in counties with casinos went up significantly after the first year of operation. That will affect you and me!

Those who are addicted to gambling show a pattern of substance abuse. That does affect me. I really don't want to see more drunk drivers on the road or women and children beaten or abused by a drunken father or other family member.

Most disturbing of all, however, is the cost in broken lives and shattered families. It is estimated that each compulsive gambler adversely affects the lives of 10 to 20 relatives, friends, and business associates. That may affect you or me.

As for filing a law suit, I sure won't, but I will not support gambling in Ford county.

I do however support your right to voice your opinion! That's what makes this country so great!

[Detector]

I understand the argument about social impact, but as many have already stated, we are already in a social shit hole thanks in part, if not most, to our two packinghouses. I also realize a casino would have a major impact on our situation and thats why I support it. We have all the crime, drugs, gangs, abuse, shattered families and divorce we might as well enjoy some income.

Our situation, in my opinion, cannot be accurately compared by anyone no matter their degree to any other city. Dodge City stands alone in western tourism potential. Gambling in Dodge City is a natural. What else does this town have to look forward to? Its people are moving out in droves as more and more immigrants move in, our downtown is a disgrace and yet we pay more to live here than any other comparable city.

56% of the population is living off the government and the rest are paying for it, and you want me to be concerned about those that can't control their own impulses? We have all the problems, and then some, of a city with gambling and none of the benefits.

We have needed a shot in tourism for a long time and when it knocks on the door people want to label it the boggy man. I think where the real fear is in change. Yes Dodge City would change. Dodge City needs to change!

[Mike B.]

Detector,

Since you say we already have crime, drugs, gangs divorce, etc. , are you saying let's bring more of it?

As far as seeing economic impact...Gambling is an economic negative. Many states and communities embrace gambling as a means to generate additional revenues as well as to inspire economic growth, boost tourism and create jobs. Gambling's ability to do all of these is either greatly exaggerated or nonexistent. For instance, gambling often hurts, not helps, existing businesses by siphoning away discretionary dollars that might otherwise have been spent at local shops. Also, the social costs associated with gambling — such as losses due to crime, additional law enforcement costs, gambling addiction treatment costs, and lost work productivity — are staggering, often far exceeding a state or community's total revenues from gambling.

Sure Dodge needs to change, but not in a negitive direction.

[Army_of_One]

If every casino brings negative results to the state why do so many states allow gambling? Missouri brings in over 200,000,000 in taxes from the casino's they have there. So what happens? The state takes in 200,000,000 taxes and then passes the social costs to the local communities?

Maybe you could compare it to bringing the packing plants to Dodge City. Brings in the business but the social costs are ruining the community. Perhaps we should start by running the packing plants out of town.

[TexKan]

Mike do you really think that not having the opportunities of gaming in dodge that you are gonna contain the crime drugs, gangs, divorce, etc?????

Gambling is an economic negative??? maybe to some mom and pop stores but not to the city as a whole. The more crooks the more cops, the more crooks and addicts the more crime......... all that is true -

If gambling is comming to Ford County.......... would you rather another town in Ford County have the "opportunity"??? How do you think the little town of Ford, Bucklin, or Minneola would feel bout an ecomomic shot in the arm?

Are you against gambling in Ford County or just in Dodge? The other thing I think you ought to know is that ya need to be collectin money from the horse track and the cock fights that go on right under your nose.

I agree with everything you wrote as far as what "could" happen. I also agree that these things probably can be statistically proven. I do realize tho if you go into something with eyes wide open you run a better chance of not bein the statistic.............. you can actually be the exception.

With the packing plants ya'll have become another statistic..... you are held captive by irresponsible employers bringing in illegal employees......... and you are just another border statistic. This is your chance to turn the tables............. I say take it!

[Bubba]

Originally Posted by Mike B.

Detector,

Since you say we already have crime, drugs, gangs divorce, etc. , are you saying let's bring more of it?

As far as seeing economic impact...Gambling is an economic negative. Many states and communities embrace gambling as a means to generate additional revenues as well as to inspire economic growth, boost tourism and create jobs. Gambling's ability to do all of these is either greatly exaggerated or nonexistent. For instance, gambling often hurts, not helps, existing businesses by siphoning away discretionary dollars that might otherwise have been spent at local shops. Also, the social costs associated with gambling — such as losses due to crime, additional law enforcement costs, gambling addiction treatment costs, and lost work productivity — are staggering, often far exceeding a state or community's total revenues from gambling.

Sure Dodge needs to change, but not in a negitive direction.

I'll bet a dollar to a dime that if/when a casino comes into Dodge City that you won't see any significant increase in the crime rate that we already have.

If gambling is such an economic negative, how did Cripple Creek, Co turn from a virtual ghost town to a thriving community thanks to gambling.

[Bubba]

Originally Posted by TexKan

...The other thing I think you ought to know is that ya need to be collectin money from the horse track and the cock fights that go on right under your nose...

Not to mention all the sports betting that is being taken by bookies at certain bars in this town. Get it out from under the table and lets get some tax benefits from it. That's what I say.

[TexKan]

yep yep you are right....... the bars were there long before the others...... but they all should be payin for the addiction that is already in dodge.

[Detector]

What we have is a city who's lost its pride. No pride results in a lack of caring. Look around and see what dodge has become. Mass immigration has turned our once proud community into crime ridden, drug infested cesspool. I find it hard to be proud of a city which is quick to jump on the "support your local illegal immigrant" wagon with no regards for the outcome, yet I am still proud. Not for what we are but what we can be.

I believe gambling is just the shot in the arm we need to turn this town around. I see big business not willing to pass up an opportunity to come to dodge if gambling were here. Yes some mom & pop's would suffer but most have already jumped on the immigrant wagon anyways. I say you reap what you sow.

I visit many forums all over the world that have people interested in history, and I've asked them about their impression of Dodge City. Most would love to visit on their way somewhere else. Those who have been here had nothing good to say at all. Most described it as a crappy little boarder town. I'm sad to say they are fairly accurate.

I think Dodge City could very well become a major tourist draw and I believe the money people in dodge know it as well and fear it. As well they should!

I've seen a lot of good ideas from cowboy ranches to trail rides to boost our tourism but alone they would fail. A Boot Hill casino would bring the tourist we need to make such ventures viable. In fact it should open up many new ventures with a western theme.