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Today's Poll: Should New York allow Vegas-style, non-Indian casinos in the state?

By Howard B. Owens
T

New York Times: Cuomo Weighs Ending State Limits on Casino Gambling

Greg Siedlecki

I am not much of a gambler. I might go to the track a couple times a year. But if it's regulated properly, and the State can make some revenue from it, I'm all for it.
Niagara Falls Ontario is flourishing. Look at Niagara Falls, NY. I rest my case!
I've heard all of the negatives, but the way I look at it is, if people want to waste their money it's not my fault. It's called control.

Aug 10, 2011, 8:07am Permalink
Bea McManis

New York State is coming late to the party. At one time, having Vegas style casinos would have been a tourist draw. Now, with many states on the bandwagon, NY is following and not leading.
The casinos in Niagara Falls, Canada and stateside are flourishing because they ARE run like the casinos in Vegas.
A lot would depend on how NYS and OTB choose to regulate their games.

Aug 10, 2011, 8:55am Permalink
tom hunt

Gaming (gambling) is a growth industry. Just look what it has done to resurect Batavia Downs and the Harness Racing Industry. A lot of people go to NF for the table games which are not allowed at the Downs or any OTB run Casinos. People are going to gamble wheather it is restricted or not.

Aug 10, 2011, 10:08am Permalink
Irene Will

When Batavia first opened the casino, I went nuts going over there. I consequently banned myself from there a couple of years ago, so that now if I want to gamble, I have to drive at least an hour, and so now am better able to control myself. Now I only go once or twice a YEAR instead of 4 or 5 times a WEEK.

The only concern I have is that if NY State gets into more gambling (we already have the lottery, quick draw) is that all that will happen is that then the legislators will have more money to WASTE - and we all will be no better off than we are now. Some of these GRANTS that get handed out are no different than the 'pork' that's in the FEDERAL budget - special interests getting money for their pet projects while everything and everybody else goes to hell. If they would use the added money to help lower taxes, create jobs, etc., I'd be all for it.

Aug 10, 2011, 1:25pm Permalink
Bob Harker

Irene, Albany will continue to wastefully spend no matter what. Their addiction to spending is out of control and, I believe, beyond repair.

Of COURSE the windfall of revenue they receive if/when this is passed will be frittered away on more ineffective programs. Better the gamblers money then mine.

That is, of course, if they don't spend all that money on bureaucratic over-regulation.....

Aug 10, 2011, 2:02pm Permalink
Michael Pullinzi

It's absolutely ridiculous that Albany has not already passed legislation to legalize gambling in New York State. OTB is not the way to go though. Build some nice big real Vegas Style Casinos and let them be State run with State employees and the funds dedicated to lowering property taxes. That will help homeowners, businesses, and create jobs.

Aug 10, 2011, 6:41pm Permalink

The only argument against legalized gambling is a moral argument. That being said, the Government, Local or State or Federal has no business trying to legislate morality. They should have lifted the ban on gambling years ago. You can't have a state lotto and then turn to say that gambling is wrong and therefore should not be legal. You also can not pass laws against every form of entertainment that some people have trouble keeping under control.

Aug 10, 2011, 11:40pm Permalink
bud prevost

I support the idea, but only if the casinos are run and managed by private companies (Harrah's, Ballys, etc.). If the NYS government runs it, it's doomed.

Aug 11, 2011, 9:29am Permalink

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