There was two very well written letters in the Gargoyle Leader yesterday about the pros and cons of a large scale casino in Larchwood.
In the letter that was against the casino I found this statement encouraging, not negative;
The report goes on to say that “Video Lottery Terminals (VLTs) are located in bars and bar/ restaurants throughout South Dakota, including a total of 1,551 VLTs in Minnehaha County, which is the Sioux Falls area. These VLTs in Minnehaha generated net win of more than $66 million last year, or about $500 per adult resident. From this data it is clear that the propensity to gamble among Sioux Falls area residents is already quite high, although a relatively small proportion of this gaming flows to area casinos due to their distance from Sioux Falls.”
GVA Marquette Advisors believes that a new Iowa casino will shift gaming patrons from VLTs in Sioux Falls to the new casino. The company says: “From our analysis, we would expect a new casino at Lyon County would have a significant impact upon VLT revenues in south[eastern] SD, particularly in the Sioux Falls area, as more of those gaming dollars would be spent at the casino, which would offer a much more appealing facility and overall gaming experience.”
While beauracrats and development big wigs see this as a bad thing, I think it is a very positive thing. Video Lottery is a horrible way to fund government, not to mention all the crime and other social costs it brings. Anything to reduce the number of VL casinos in Sioux Falls is a move in the right direction, for society. Pierre might not like it, but who gives a shit what they think? It might finally force them to get rid of the awful funding source once and for all.
As for the pro-casino letter, I found this statement at the end of the letter very telling about how South Dakota and Sioux Falls politicians like to do business; their way or the highway;
We need to look at every so-called threat and find the opportunity. I would like to personally extend a hand across the river to the economic development team representing Sioux Falls to meet in person to work together in making our area within 100 miles of Sioux Falls the best place to work, live, play and raise a family.
Good luck with that Iowa. Our city council and county commissioners can’t even work together, what makes you think you will be able to work with them? Don’t get me wrong, I agree 100%, we should work together. Instead trying to create stupid legislation and denegrating Iowa in the media, Sioux Falls should embrace this casino, and make it a partnership effort. Sour grapes won’t help either of us.
But I’m not holding my breath. Now excuse me while I bang my head against the wall.
It almost makes one wonder if Sioux Falls isn’t run by a bunch of small-minded douchebags.
That and a little isolationism, but mostly arrogance. We have been milking Iowans for years in retail taxes, but all of sudden if they are gonna make a buck off of us they are ‘evil’. Give me a break.
a total of 1,551 VLTs in Minnehaha County, which is the Sioux Falls area. These VLTs in Minnehaha generated net win of more than $66 million last year, or about $500 per adult resident.
~from the article
I knew it had to be high. I had no idea it was this high tho. A sad commentary…and even sadder for those who apologize for it’s existence.
GoD has been saying that for awhile that a good portion of VL funds come from MC. I thought it would be around 50%, but it is over 2/3’s considering the state only takes in $90 million total. No wonder they are worried. Pierre just might have to implement a fair income tax to make up the difference.
It would be worth repealing VL in this city and county just to watch the a-holes in Pierre get their panties in a wad over what they’re going to do without all the VL money coming in from SF.
Is there a state law that requires VL casinos to be allowed in town?
I think there is a state law that says cities cannot regulate VL. Sioux Falls has passed zoning laws though that limit opening new ones, but they cannot limit the ones that are in business currently.
The sad part is just think if that $66 million was spent in SF on goods and services instead of the VL toilet. Think of that economic impact.
Here’s a little chunk of an article from http://www.radioiowa.com. The comments come from gaming commission chairman Greg Seyfer:
South Dakota lawmakers have talked about creating their own casino to counter the Iowa proposal, but Seyfer says that won’t figure into the commission’s decision. Seyfer says it’s hard to predict what other states will do, and he says competition from other states has been an ongoing issue with the potential for a casino in Nebraska. But he says, “I don’t think we can decide what we do based off of what another jurisdiction may or may not do.”
Agreed. Doesn’t matter what we do, if the gaming commission approves the casino, it will get built, that’s why I said legislators trying to stop it in SD was asinine. I am starting to think you have to lack common sense to become a state legislator in SD.
Sioux Falls will just have to suck Eggs on this one. They should have built one years ago. It was all about hurting the Royal River Casino. Well guess what folks, The RRC doen’t pay one dime to SD. It’s all about them. The city of Sioux Falls is thinking of pardnering with the RRC, For get it. In a short time you will know why.
Bill Williams Sioux Falls SD
When the new Iowa Casino is built, can we use the poker chip denominations for untaxable barter in Sioux Falls?