State Politicians Call For More Casinos in Iowa
For all the disagreement at the statehouse these days, there is one thing that Iowa politicians seem to rally around – give the state more casinos!
Iverson,
of Dows, suggested that regulators should allow up to seven casinos –
one for each county where voters have approved ballot proposals in the
past two years to permit casino gambling.
“I
am not a big pro-gambling individual, but I see nothing wrong with
letting all seven counties have gambling,” Iverson said. “I guess I am
not afraid of competition. Let them all have it. We have gambling in
Iowa. What difference does it make? I don't see why we have to protect
one casino from competition.”
Gov.
Tom Vilsack began applying pressure on state regulators late last week
when he suggested the commission should reconsider its decision to deny
a license for the $40 million Wild Rose Ottumwa casino project. Vilsack
aide Matt Paul said Monday that the governor simply wanted Ottumwa
residents to know his stance because he was familiar with the
community's economic difficulties as a longtime public official from
Mount Pleasant in southeast Iowa.
When it
comes to this issue, there is a valid point here: if we're going
to start giving out licenses, why not allow all counties to decide?
On the
other hand, it bothers me that casino gambling is the only “given” that
we consider when it comes to economic development in the state.
Shouldn't we be able to do better than this?
Blog For Iowa 