The editorial in the Free Lance, on March 4,
”
Let voters decide if the casino’s price is right,
”
raises some interesting points and inspires me to further
explore some of the issues surrounding the proposal.
The editorial in the Free Lance, on March 4, “Let voters decide if the casino’s price is right,” raises some interesting points and inspires me to further explore some of the issues surrounding the proposal.
Personally, I have no firm position yet. I do participate in casino gaming, albeit not slot machines. And I’m not hypocritical to the degree of the NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard). Let’s explore the various subjects raised both for and against the potential casino.
The moral issue: Many of the opponents of the local casino are against it for moral reasons. They might consider that argument based on religious grounds, or simply because they fear that with a casino so close many people could become addicted to gambling, which could lead to social problems, personal financial mismanagement, broken homes and ramifications for public assistance.
The tribe: There are those who object to the casino because it seems to be promoted by their investors utilizing “vagabond carpet-baggers,” a splinter group calling itself a tribe that may have no roots in San Benito County. Should the Miwok group prove to have local ties, or should another tribe with local roots wish to promote a casino, these folks should have no further objections. Of longer-range concern, this five-member tribe (of which it has been reported four are adopted) would not appear to have much of a descendency prospect. In the event of their extinction, who owns and operates the casino, and on whose behalf? Another tribe, the investors, the state?
Alcohol use and abuse: Nowhere in any proposals have I seen it presented that alcohol would be served. This subject needs to be explored and clarified, perhaps leading to some changes of support.
Location: There were objections to the original proposed location because of several issues, primarily transportation, traffic and environmental factors. These same concerns are just as valid at the new proposed location. Is there another location in San Benito County that would better serve the project? One that would not so negatively impact the greater Hollister vicinity while still providing “all the benefits?”
Economic factors: Although I believe many Indian casinos are destination resorts, there is a case to be made that with many people coming close to or into Hollister and surrounding communities, there is likely to be some additional business for our merchants. Arguably this is not necessarily the case. Should the casino project include a restaurant and hotel as part of the complex or even a gas station or event center, then retail opportunities locally will be negatively impacted, perhaps seriously.
Building codes and zoning laws: Although it’s been reported that the Indian casino is a “sovereign nation” and not subject to the same laws as are the rest of us, local government should easily be able to negotiate for the overall safety of it’s citizens and guests. Whether building, fire, earthquake, or environmental (water, waste, run-off) standards are met is a very serious concern for everybody. Who is responsible to ensure that the various codes are in compliance over the long term? Who is liable for injuries to casino employees and their patrons? Who is responsible and to what degree? Can a sovereign nation be sued? Is this a federal court or tribal court issue? Or will local courts be burdened with legal issues? Will there be a requirement to have state disability insurance coverage to protect the employees?
The games: There are three classes of Indian gaming. Each has differing regulations as to which games are played and how they’re played. What category will our local casino be operating under? The gaming category negotiated and the number of games at the casino could effect how the local community perceives the operation. A bingo parlor and slot operation would be seen differently than a facility offering craps, roulette, blackjack and other popular table games. Minimum and maximum betting limits certainly flavor the outlook one has regarding a casino.
The investors and promoters: Let’s be realistic. The operation and management of the Miwok casino will be of some benefit to the Miwoks and other revenue sharing non-casino operating tribes. Likely the largest benefit will be to the Game Won organization. They are not investing for the Miwoks benefit or San Benito County’s, and they are justified in getting a return on their investment. But what is their return? Who will audit their operation and income to ascertain fairness to all? What will revenue sharing really mean?
Mitigations: How may dollars will it take to get a majority of our residents on board the casino train? Would sharing several hundred dollars a year from the casino profits with each property owner or adult resident get some attention? This scenario is similar to the distribution of “oil wealth” to citizens of Alaska.
Not as ludicrous as that statement, is the offer of substantial cash to the city and county. There is no justification in accepting casino money to just get our fire, police, sheriff, schools, roads and other infrastructure needs to levels where they should already be.
If we need more fire, police, road construction, etc., just for the additional problems created by a casino, money for that must come in addition to a ‘make whole’ approach. All of that must be offered and accepted, with an enforcement plan in place, prior to ground breaking.
Jobs, jobs, jobs: We have been led to believe that there will be thousands of well-paying, benefit-providing jobs. Well, let’s see! The Game Won group has referenced as a comparison the new Cache Creek Casino, which has a similar number of slot machines as is proposed for the Miwoks.
The devil is in the details here! Game Won must provide the actual number and classification of all the casino jobs, as well as the pay rates of each.
How many dealers, cashiers, slot mechanics, janitors, cooks, wait persons, clerks, pit bosses, security officers, supervisors, mid- and upper-level managers, will there be? Maybe an intelligent decision will be more possible with real numbers.
It has also been stated that good jobs will be available for our youth, which will give them something to do with their time. Really? Do we want our teenagers to get the get-rich-quick compulsion over the earn-it-by-work ethic? Jobs for those in the 18 to 21 year old category are not likely to be in the well paid.
However, a reasonable, but modest-paying job for untrained and unemployed young people might well be of some benefit.
Hopefully this will provide some food for thought that can lead the undecided and uncertain to a definitive position.
Ed Rollins is a long-time Hollister resident
and an avid golfer.
