Gambling as "economic development" for Ohio

[geiger]

These Learn and Earn people have got to be out of their minds (Learn & Earn, if passed at the ballot box, would be funded by proceeds on slot machines at 9 venues in Ohio (7 at existing racetracks), , I believe, only between 30 and 40 percent of the money would end up in educational coffers.

Someone out there who took (and passed) an economics course out there, please give us a credible working definition of the almightly term "economic development" that gets thrown around like a commodity these days. The mantra of economic development is not a real "THING." It's about creating and nurturing a state of mind where opportunities are borne out of readiness (which includes adequate infrastructure, informed and well educated citizens, trained workers).

But, as even in the case of gambling, one wanted some sort of working paradigm/ definition, wouldn't it include "with the effect of ripple layers of positive economic impact in growing and at multiple levels of society?" Something like that?

[cmd]

1. A good question

and not one I know anything about. What I do know is that I went to the Mountaineer Race Track in WV about two weeks ago. There were far more cars from Ohio than from WV in the parking lot. We're exporting a lot of gambling money to other states.

[geiger]

2. and I dont "gamble"

so I dont understand the attraction of throwing one's money away anyway. I bought one raffle ticket at a local fundraiser last night because I figure at least half the money goes to a good cause. It would have been fun to win, but I didn't count on it and I didn't want to kick myself during the event for maybe possibly not having bought the winning ticket.

[cmd]

5. Not a gambler either

It was a very boring day for me. I'm the incoming president of the group that chose to go there and was obligated to go along. The majority of the players are senior women. I fit well in that group, but hate throwing away money on spinning pictures. I hope that the demographics change as the baby boomer crowd grows older. The senior women of today are mostly housewives who stayed at home and raised children after the war. Very few of them are college graduates. Not many of them were part of the work force. All of them are dreamers.

[Kukesa]

3. I'm not an economist

but I do notice the busses at the Dayton Mall filled with Ohioans each morning for their trip to the casinos in Indiana.

My mother and her friends in NE Ohio fill planes almost every Friday for a weekend trip to Atlantic City's casinos.

Wouldn't it be better to keep our money here? Even 30-40% is better than nothing.

We can't legislate morality and people are going to gamble no matter what. Call it "economic development" or call it anything else you'd like -- Ohio needs the money.

[geiger]

4. I am all for keeping money in Ohio

But we need sustainable economic growth and vitality.

I'm not an economist either.

This is why I throw it out for honest discussion.

I just dont know.

[OhioBlue]

6. I'm on the fence on this issue

Disclosure: My Dad and Step-mother have thoroughbred race horses. My sister and her "significant other" make their living in the horse racing business. (And.. it isn't a glamor type thing.. my sis live in a rented apartment, has medicare for her kids, my Dad bought a used car for her... it isn't a "Kentucky Derby" type horse racing family...)

The issue of legalized gambling has more economic impact than just losing money to slot machines and bus trips to Indiana, Michigan, WV, etc. The horse tracks in Ohio are suffering in general because of Mountaineer. The Mountaineer race track attracts SO MANY more people than ours. So... the facilities are better, the purses are bigger, etc... "Horse people" are leaving Ohio for WV and other tracks. We can agree or disagree about the benefits or ramifications of legalized gambling, we can discuss the definition of economic development...

But, what I do know for sure is that horse racing is an industry in Ohio and it is being hurt badly.

I look at it the same as tax abatements for business. While I disagree with it based on ideology, if every County around us offers them, and we don't, we will lose on the investment and jobs. Same thing with legalized gambling. It isn't an answer to our economic situation in Ohio, but we can't disregard the fact that many dollars are being exported to neighboring States or the impact that it is having on the horse racing industry.

So, do we jump on the bandwagon or take a stand? I've decided that I'm in favor of legalized gambling in Ohio. Not because I think it is the answer to our economic situation, not because I think gambling isn't addictive and can lead to problems for individuals and families, but because I think it will keep tourism dollars in Ohio and will give a boost to the horse racing industry. We have to do what we can do... and in the cost/benefit analysis... I see a controlled, minimal legalized gambling initiative as a benefit. (JMHO...)

I used to bar tend at a local "fraternal organization" and I saw people spend hundreds of dollars on tickets, I've also seen people spend way too much on lottery tickets or in a local poker game. It makes me sad that they waste their money, but it is their money. They are also the most likely to fly to Vegas or join in a bus trip to Detroit, Windsor or Mountaineer....