That's exactly why I said the KY/Barkely Lake area. As far as French Lick, other than a really nice golf course and casino what else is there? I guess what I'm asking is what is the natural attraction? I've been to French lick bit really just more through there.

 

It's still developing, really. But the resort itself (especially the West Baden Springs Hotel) have been the attractions for over a century. The casino is a really new development, relative to the history of the hotel. We've developed the resort into a destination (and more plans for the future are in the works). We now have 3 onsite golf courses, including the Pete Dye course. There is a new endeavor now that partners a tour company, the hotels of French Lick and West Baden, and tours of 4 Amish farms. We've partnered with serveral of the cave and zipline operators to develop packaging on that front as well. The resort is located in the heart of the Hoosier National Forest and our property itself has 3000 acres, including hiking/biking/horseback riding trails. We also have gained international acclaim for the 2 spas located there.

 

I envision for Kentucky a resort hotel/golf/outdoor activity program, with a casino. For that area, the casino isn't likely to be the draw that would keep the facility going, given the competion of surrounding areas with casino gambling. But if Kentucky could develop a "French Lick" type facility sustainability would be long-lived if managed correctly.

 

You'd be amazed how many high profile Kentucky groups (association conventions in particular) come to French Lick for the resort amenities, and not at all for the casino. There is no where in Kentukcy that can house 4 or 500 conference attendees in a resort setting, with they type of activities that can be used as team building, or just recreation.

It is a political hot potato in the General Assembly. We don't have enough legislators with onions (with apologies to Bill Raftery) in Frankfort to pass the darn thing.

It is a political hot potato in the General Assembly. We don't have enough legislators with onions (with apologies to Bill Raftery) in Frankfort to pass the darn thing.

 

Or, the Indiana casinos have too many of them on the payroll, the way they did with Williams.

I hope they put one in every town.

We're fooling ourselves if we don't think there are going to be problems.

 

I've got a huge problem with the way Ohio handed out licenses to a couple companies. Huge windfall for those massive entertainment companies that could effectively lobby the state to get those licenses.

 

I'm not crazy about any setup that makes the ability to successfully lobby government more important to a company than a good business model.

 

There are problems coming down the pipe and actually allowing the casinos is only step one in what's sure to be a really intriguing behind-closed-doors process.

We're fooling ourselves if we don't think there are going to be problems.

 

I've got a huge problem with the way Ohio handed out licenses to a couple companies. Huge windfall for those massive entertainment companies that could effectively lobby the state to get those licenses.

 

I'm not crazy about any setup that makes the ability to successfully lobby government more important to a company than a good business model.

 

There are problems coming down the pipe and actually allowing the casinos is only step one in what's sure to be a really intriguing behind-closed-doors process.

 

I'm for Casino gambling but I will say I have one major issue with where they are located in alot of cities that have just legalized it across the country. They limit the amount of casinos that can be created so eliminating a true free market and they seem to only put them in area's where the poor,college students and elderly have easy access. In other words the people on fixed incomes who probably shouldn't be gambling.

 

Like I've said I'm a big believer in Social Darwinism and weeding out those who make bad choices. But man something doesn't sit right with where they locate these things.

I'm for Casino gambling but I will say I have one major issue with where they are located in alot of cities that have just legalized it across the country. They limit the amount of casinos that can be created so eliminating a true free market and they seem to only put them in area's where the poor,college students and elderly have easy access. In other words the people on fixed incomes who probably shouldn't be gambling.

 

Like I've said I'm a big believer in Social Darwinism and weeding out those who make bad choices. But man something doesn't sit right with where they locate these things.

I am a libertarian and fully agree with the bolded. My objection to state sponsored gambling is the extent of the state's involvement. Casinos should be operated by private owners and regulated as little as necessary to ensure "fair" gaming. Casinos, alcohol, and tobacco should be taxed the same as any other legal activity or substance. So-called "sin taxes" on legal commerce are flat out wrong.

 

Why should we expect that the state's (and "state" includes government at all levels) thirst for "revenue" to be sated with casino taxes? I will not be shocked if state regulated prostitution spreads like wildfire over the next few years. I am not opposed to people selling sex but I don't think that states should encourage or profit from it. Call me a cynic, but I see no limit to government's willingness to promote risky behavior in their never ending quest for tax dollars.

 

If adults want to consume alcohol, smoke cigarettes, gamble, or sell their bodies, it is none of my business but government should not profit from these activities to a greater extent than it profits from any other commercial transaction, IMO.

Kentucky.

 

The Bourbon Capitol of the World, yet the most dry countys.

 

The only state where it's biggest day of the year is built around drinking and gambling, yet most are against it (at least publicly).

I guess the French Lick Resort didn't get that memo. Not to mention there are more than a few people living in WKY, W. Tennessee, Southern Ill.

 

As Rockmom stated, French Lick was already there, it was a historic destination resort known throughout the Midwest, many Hoosiers were bothered by how it was starting to decay and putting a casino in it was seen as a way to bring it back to it grandeur. Had the resort not already been there, I doubt it would have ever been considered.

 

As far as the area around Barkley/Kentucky Lake, what are to locals opinion in regards to gambling? Generally those in the cities lean towards approving the measure, those out in the state lean towards not allowing the measure. I believe one of the issues with the bill is that even if it passes state wide, it has to be approved by the locals in the county before a casino can be put there. How do people in the counties around those two lakes lean? Could that be a challenge? Jefferson Co, Fayette Co, Boone, Kenton and Cambell counties would probabaly be pretty easy.

As Rockmom stated, French Lick was already there, it was a historic destination resort known throughout the Midwest, many Hoosiers were bothered by how it was starting to decay and putting a casino in it was seen as a way to bring it back to it grandeur. Had the resort not already been there, I doubt it would have ever been considered.

 

As far as the area around Barkley/Kentucky Lake, what are to locals opinion in regards to gambling? Generally those in the cities lean towards approving the measure, those out in the state lean towards not allowing the measure. I believe one of the issues with the bill is that even if it passes state wide, it has to be approved by the locals in the county before a casino can be put there. How do people in the counties around those two lakes lean? Could that be a challenge? Jefferson Co, Fayette Co, Boone, Kenton and Cambell counties would probabaly be pretty easy.

My guess is trying to put one in the lakes area would go over like a fart in church. Especially considering most of the counties in the area have had to drug kicking and screaming to the present in regards to alcohol sales. Some are still dry but they are getting there.

I am a libertarian and fully agree with the bolded. My objection to state sponsored gambling is the extent of the state's involvement. Casinos should be operated by private owners and regulated as little as necessary to ensure "fair" gaming. Casinos, alcohol, and tobacco should be taxed the same as any other legal activity or substance. So-called "sin taxes" on legal commerce are flat out wrong.

 

Why should we expect that the state's (and "state" includes government at all levels) thirst for "revenue" to be sated with casino taxes? I will not be shocked if state regulated prostitution spreads like wildfire over the next few years. I am not opposed to people selling sex but I don't think that states should encourage or profit from it. Call me a cynic, but I see no limit to government's willingness to promote risky behavior in their never ending quest for tax dollars.

 

If adults want to consume alcohol, smoke cigarettes, gamble, or sell their bodies, it is none of my business but government should not profit from these activities to a greater extent than it profits from any other commercial transaction, IMO.

 

We live in the excessively-uptight-over-sex US of A, where people pitched a fit over crusty-old Janet Jackson's boob being seen for a second. I'm gonna set the line at zero chance prostitution expands to this state or any other southern state in the next half-century.

My guess is trying to put one in the lakes area would go over like a fart in church. Especially considering most of the counties in the area have had to drug kicking and screaming to the present in regards to alcohol sales. Some are still dry but they are getting there.

 

Only other place I found that plays all-day Bluegrass gospel and country gospel music was in Whitesburg in the mountains. Yeah, the Purchase area is gonna be a tough one to crack, but I bet enough people make the trek to Metropolis to feed their slots craving to at least make the vote interesting.

We live in the excessively-uptight-over-sex US of A, where people pitched a fit over crusty-old Janet Jackson's boob being seen for a second. I'm gonna set the line at zero chance prostitution expands to this state or any other southern state in the next half-century.

I believe that you are underestimating the capacity for politicians to create crises and exploit them. I see two possible paths to legalization of prostitution. The first is the same path that marijuana use is being legalized - decriminalization followed by legalization and taxation. New tax revenues are driving the decriminalization and legalization of pot but the size of government will continue to increase until there is nothing left to tax or until Americans revolt.

 

The second path is that of the abortionists. How can any rational human being believe that women have the right to terminate the life of an unborn human being and also believe that legislators have the right to jail women (and men) for having sex in exchange for money?

 

A few well placed judges working with power hungry politicians looking for "new revenue sources" and it will not matter whether the majority of southerners disapprove of prostitution or not.

I believe that you are underestimating the capacity for politicians to create crises and exploit them. I see two possible paths to legalization of prostitution. The first is the same path that marijuana use is being legalized - decriminalization followed by legalization and taxation. New tax revenues are driving the decriminalization and legalization of pot but the size of government will continue to increase until there is nothing left to tax or until Americans revolt.

 

The second path is that of the abortionists. How can any rational human being believe that women have the right to terminate the life of an unborn human being and also believe that legislators have the right to jail women (and men) for having sex in exchange for money?

 

A few well placed judges working with power hungry politicians looking for "new revenue sources" and it will not matter whether the majority of southerners disapprove of prostitution or not.

 

I'm going to respectfully remain in the "not buying it" camp on prostitution. I see state governments jumping from approval of weed to hookers the same way I see Mario jumping from one ladder to the next in Donkey Kong — they're just too far apart.

True. I don't even like going outside the Watterson.

 

It's rough out here in J-town...