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Thread: Where's the Point in Keeping Gambling "Illegal" in NYS?

  1. #1
    Member crlachepinochet's Avatar
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    Where's the Point in Keeping Gambling "Illegal" in NYS?

    Senecas reconsider Buffalo

    This is just one of those things that won't end! I'm still a little on the fence when it comes to casinos at all, but I think if one was going to be built in the city, put it downtown and try to keep the stink away from as many people as possible. They mentioned the Central Terminal, DL&W, and some other sites besides Statler.

    This all made me think: If we have a Buffalo OR Cheektowaga casino, that's 3 casinos for a little more than one million people. Why is gambling still "illegal"? It's one thing to debate about whether or not casinos are OK at all, but I think we've been going at this completely wrong. I'd be willing to bet that we could've put very strict controls on a casino, saying a significant amount of the profits had to go into the community and whatnot, opened the rights to build the Niagara Falls casino up to bid, and we would've had people frothing at the mouth. I mean, with the Indian casinos: all the profits go back to the Nation; they are allowed to be discriminatory in their hiring; the property is off the tax rolls; the Nation can buy land adjacent to the casino and take more property off the tax rolls (I believe?). You remove pretty much all of the positive effects of the casinos, whatever they may be, if they're owned by the Senecas.

    Why keep up the charade that gambling is illegal when we will have the "racino" on top of three full-blown casinos in WNY?
    Remain calm!! But run for your lives if necessary!

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    I couldn't agree with you more. I have no idea what those dopes are thinking in albany.

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    Member 300miles's Avatar
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    I totally agree... I asked a similar question a few months back.

    http://www.speakupwny.com/forum/show...&threadid=1889

  4. #4
    Tony Fracasso - Admin
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    Re: Where's the Point in Keeping Gambling "Illegal" in NYS?

    Originally posted by crlachepinochet
    Senecas reconsider Buffalo

    This is just one of those things that won't end! I'm still a little on the fence when it comes to casinos at all, but I think if one was going to be built in the city, put it downtown and try to keep the stink away from as many people as possible. They mentioned the Central Terminal, DL&W, and some other sites besides Statler.

    This all made me think: If we have a Buffalo OR Cheektowaga casino, that's 3 casinos for a little more than one million people. Why is gambling still "illegal"? It's one thing to debate about whether or not casinos are OK at all, but I think we've been going at this completely wrong. I'd be willing to bet that we could've put very strict controls on a casino, saying a significant amount of the profits had to go into the community and whatnot, opened the rights to build the Niagara Falls casino up to bid, and we would've had people frothing at the mouth. I mean, with the Indian casinos: all the profits go back to the Nation; they are allowed to be discriminatory in their hiring; the property is off the tax rolls; the Nation can buy land adjacent to the casino and take more property off the tax rolls (I believe?). You remove pretty much all of the positive effects of the casinos, whatever they may be, if they're owned by the Senecas.

    Why keep up the charade that gambling is illegal when we will have the "racino" on top of three full-blown casinos in WNY?

    I still think the casino should be community owned and the profits come DIRECTLY off our property tax without any spending increases. We just don't want the money step on them hiring more people.

    LEtting the money drain out to indians (replace this with country name) is stupid. Nothing against indians.

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    The main problem with casinos is that they are illegal throughout the state. The politicians used trickery and self interest to circumvent the state constitution. They used the same method to bypass the constitutional prohibition on borrowing by "inventing" the authorities, let them do the borrowing, and the taxpayers picked up the tab. If you want gambling, do it right, amend the constitution and get gambling. Don't show the politicians and judges that the constitution is merely an inconvenience.

    As for government getting a cut of the profits of the casinos, NO, NO, NO. Government does not need more revenue, it needs to control expenditures. If gambling becomes legal, it should be a private business, which pays taxes like everything else.

    If you think the state and local governments could be trusted to use profits to reduce property taxes only, I have some land for sale cheap at the bottom of Lake Erie.
    The shortest distance between two politicians is thru your wallet.

  6. #6
    Member crlachepinochet's Avatar
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    I'm not saying that money should go right to the gov't, but we could make it so that a certain percentage of the profits go to something like gambling recovery nonprofits or buying musical instruments and school supplies for Buffalo schools... or right off of our taxes; I think that'll get some support on this board.

    I just don't understand the way the politicians are working here. It seems to me like they're making it harder for themselves. You have that whole sovereignty thing to deal with, and the Indians are getting picky about sites... they could be taking kickbacks from businessmen just like on every other issue. It seems weird that they're giving themselves these headaches when it's in their power to make gambling legal... it's not like it's a federal issue. I'd be willing to bet we wouldn't even have to change the state constitution, our politicians should be second to none in weaseling around "inconveniences".
    Remain calm!! But run for your lives if necessary!

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    Member Riven37's Avatar
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    Re: Where's the Point in Keeping Gambling "Illegal" in NYS?

    Originally posted by crlachepinochet
    Senecas reconsider Buffalo

    This is just one of those things that won't end! I'm still a little on the fence when it comes to casinos at all, but I think if one was going to be built in the city, put it downtown and try to keep the stink away from as many people as possible. They mentioned the Central Terminal, DL&W, and some other sites besides Statler.

    This all made me think: If we have a Buffalo OR Cheektowaga casino, that's 3 casinos for a little more than one million people. Why is gambling still "illegal"? It's one thing to debate about whether or not casinos are OK at all, but I think we've been going at this completely wrong. I'd be willing to bet that we could've put very strict controls on a casino, saying a significant amount of the profits had to go into the community and whatnot, opened the rights to build the Niagara Falls casino up to bid, and we would've had people frothing at the mouth. I mean, with the Indian casinos: all the profits go back to the Nation; they are allowed to be discriminatory in their hiring; the property is off the tax rolls; the Nation can buy land adjacent to the casino and take more property off the tax rolls (I believe?). You remove pretty much all of the positive effects of the casinos, whatever they may be, if they're owned by the Senecas.

    Why keep up the charade that gambling is illegal when we will have the "racino" on top of three full-blown casinos in WNY?

    Why is gambling still "illegal"? There is a difference between legal and illegal gambing. Its more for those back door closet gambers who runs numbers, football spread sheets with no guidlines for your protection. Casinos are legal gambling venues. Even your local Bar football squars spread is somewhat legal depends who you know.
    Riven37
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    Some gambling is "illegal" because the government doesn't get a cut.
    The shortest distance between two politicians is thru your wallet.

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    Not politically correct

    That is the reason the state has to let the Indians run the casinos. They are happy getting their kickback, and lobby money from the Indians. That is why gambling is illegal. The state profits from it with little input. The slots reciepts are what they are, and the state gets its vig, or percentage. Its automatic, off the top. It should be legalized, in my eyes. Open up the market to all Casino operators, then let them bid amongst each other , and go with the Operator that is going to guarantee the biggest kickback to the State/Munincipality. Another reason the state won't legalize it is because it would siphon money away from their lucrative lottery operation. They aint givin up nothin.

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    Lottery = Idiot Tax
    The difference between taxes and robbery is the mode of coercion.

  11. #11
    Member 300miles's Avatar
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    Legalizing it doesn't mean the state loses control of gambling. Perscription drugs are legal, but that doesn't mean there aren't strict guidelines for their sale and use.

    They should open up the bidding to any company including the indians. Why are we restricting ourselves to the Senecas? Why are we giving them an absolut monopoly on gambling in NYS?

  12. #12
    Member dtwarren's Avatar
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    The reason is the pro-casino people cannot get in the front door what they are trying to get in through the back door. The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act only permits gambling on Indian land if it is otherwise lawful for non-Indians within the stae to conduct such gaming for any person or purpose. This is the issue in Dalton v. Pataki and Warren v. Pataki.
    “We in America do not have government by the majority. We have government by the majority who participate.” ― Thomas Jefferson

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