Mardi Gras Hotel and Casino and Hot Slots Casino are both within 2 hours.

 

I already said I forgot about the dog track in Nitro. Mardi Gras and Hot Slots are both located there.

 

I looked it up on Yahoo! The two closes ones listed are a Friendly's and a Java Joe's. Didn't realize those were casinos.

And if you think all the problems in those areas are a result of there being casinos, then you have your head in the sand.

 

So, just so I'm clear, you'd rather people in the state of KY who are going to gamble go to a neighboring state and put money into their ecomony than into KY's?

 

I think it is important to understand that the money spent in casinos doesn't necessarily stay in the state. With that said I am against the legalization of casion gambling in Kentucky.

 

Futhermore, I never said all of the problems. On the other hand if you think none of the problems are the results of the casinos then you have your head somewhere much worse than in the sand.

I think it is important to understand that the money spent in casinos doesn't necessarily stay in the state. With that said I am against the legalization of casion gambling in Kentucky.

 

Futhermore, I never said all of the problems. On the other hand if you think none of the problems are the results of the casinos then you have your head somewhere much worse than in the sand.

The problem is you have provided zero evidence to back up your claims. That's all that was asked. To just say "it brings trouble" isn't an argument.

RTS, I will compromise. Let them have a contest, arm wrestling, spelling bee, whatever. Then we execute the loser in a controlled environment. We can let the winner pull the switch. Fair enough?

:lol: I can live with that.

:lol: I can live with that.

 

:thumb: I'm kidding but sometimes I think this would be a good idea.

Still waiting for someone besides mountainref on the anti-casino bandwagon to come forward with their plans to stimulate Kentucky's economy. I like mountainref's "green" jobs ideas. But we need more. Whatcha got, guys?

 

Wouldn't hold your breath on the green jobs. Look up some of the green companies stimulus money went to......several have gone belly up. Someday Obama and his cronies may figure out that when you falsely simulate areas of the economy, they generally fall on their face once the stimulous is over. Actually, I doubt he will ever figure out the basics of economics.

Ashland is a town of 21,000 people and we have 5 Mcdonald's, an Outback, O'Charley's, a Community College, new roads, Applebee's, Ruby Tuesdays, a new riverfront, two recently renovated bridges, 2 new fire stations, a brand spanking new police headquarters, a new high school currently under construction, 14 Mexican restaurants, 7 Chinesse buffets, a hosipital that does more heart proceedures and any other in the state, and a recently renovated Paramont Arts Center.

 

We manage all of this without a casino.

 

Point your eyes south of Ashland and look at the growth of Pikeville. UPike is on the verge of becoming a state university, a brand new Civic Center, new highways, and an expanding medical center. No casinos.

 

Look for what it's worth I hope all you guys in the big cities get your casinos if it makes you happy. However, if you think its all a bed of roses you are sadly mistaken. Take a trip to Shreveport or walk 1 block of the boardwalk in Atlantic City.

 

 

Is your economy growing? Is industry stable? More industry moving in? And no, Pikeville doesn't work yet. Until the blights outside of the town limits are erradicated, you can't consider that any thing you mentioned is a success. What is unemployment overall in your area...the whole area, not the two cities of Ashland and Pikeville? What about those WV areas bordering?

 

The casino/resort at French Lick serve an area of former manufacturing in several counties surrounding...most of which has dried up or reduced staff. Until the resurgance unemployment was astronomical in the area....family's receiving federal aid were the norm, not the exception. Now, a lot of members of those same families are all employed in various capacities throughout the resort. You should come and talk to some of them. They are extremely grateful for the jobs, the people who come there to spend their money.....extremely grateful. And it's been a hard transition for many of them to go from working an assembly line to interacting with guests in a 4 star setting. Many employees now have opportunities they never dreamed of, such as getting a post-secondary education through the tuition reimbursement program offered, and the opening of the Ivy Tech campus in their community.

 

Go over to Greenbrier and ask those folks what they feel about the casino and resort in their community....employeeing many people in an area that was supported by the mining industry.

Wouldn't hold your breath on the green jobs. Look up some of the green companies stimulus money went to......several have gone belly up. Someday Obama and his cronies may figure out that when you falsely simulate areas of the economy, they generally fall on their face once the stimulous is over. Actually, I doubt he will ever figure out the basics of economics.

 

 

All I'm saying is that at least mountainref brought forth SOME sort of alternative idea. No one else is throwing out anything. And that's where I get REALLY irritated. I'm fine with opposition, but no one has one idea of what to do as an alternative. They're so immersed in a microscopic portion of the whole state and aren't looking beyond. If things are rosy in their area, great. But Kentucky is a much larger area than one or two towns or even big cities. We are very much at risk of losing our signature industry. And that signature industry supports a lot of other industries in ways people don't even think about. If someone is hell bent on opposing something that would help that industry, then I don't have a problem demanding that they come prepared with some viable alternatives. Don't just oppose....propose.

 

As for the rest of your post...I'll leave that without rebuttal for the sake of maintaining our friendship.

We already have all the problems of gambling. What we don't have is an ability to divert some of the money Kentuckians are already spending at casinos toward addiction programs (as well as to pay for our roads and schools, you know, instead of Indiana's). As a state, we have all the problems and none of the benefits. Getting into the casino game helps level the playing field and stops neighboring states from preying upon us.

 

Please address the above.

 

I think it is important to understand that the money spent in casinos doesn't necessarily stay in the state. With that said I am against the legalization of casion gambling in Kentucky.

 

Futhermore, I never said all of the problems. On the other hand if you think none of the problems are the results of the casinos then you have your head somewhere much worse than in the sand.

 

By this logic, I guess we should tell Toyota to hit the bricks since they're sending money back to Japan.

 

We already have the problems of gambling across this state. By recapturing some of that revenue as tax money, we are at least equipped to help those who do become problem gamblers.

Agreed, as long as we realize the problem will grow, not remain stagnant.

Agreed, as long as we realize the problem will grow, not remain stagnant.

 

I just don't think it will grow any more than it already is. Kind of like DUIs, for example. When the alcohol vote comes up in dry counties, usually you will always hear the anti-wet crusaders talking about increases in DUIs and alcohol-related accidents, yet the numbers never really materialize to support those claims. The point being, those who are drinking/gambling are already doing so. It's not like there are going to be tons of new people going to casinos who aren't already predisposed toward doing so. The people are already gambling, in many ways both legal and illegal. Why not make a better effort to control it, and help pay for the problems that are already here?

Ashland is a town of 21,000 people and we have 5 Mcdonald's, an Outback, O'Charley's, a Community College, new roads, Applebee's, Ruby Tuesdays, a new riverfront, two recently renovated bridges, 2 new fire stations, a brand spanking new police headquarters, a new high school currently under construction, 14 Mexican restaurants, 7 Chinesse buffets, a hosipital that does more heart proceedures and any other in the state, and a recently renovated Paramont Arts Center.

 

No Walmart?

I just don't think it will grow any more than it already is. Kind of like DUIs, for example. When the alcohol vote comes up in dry counties, usually you will always hear the anti-wet crusaders talking about increases in DUIs and alcohol-related accidents, yet the numbers never really materialize to support those claims. The point being, those who are drinking/gambling are already doing so. It's not like there are going to be tons of new people going to casinos who aren't already predisposed toward doing so. The people are already gambling, in many ways both legal and illegal. Why not make a better effort to control it, and help pay for the problems that are already here?

 

The article I shared in post 105 indicates that the problems do grow when casinos come in. The factor in KY would be how much since casinos are already in the region. I just think it makes sense that someone in Richmond might drive a half hour to go to a casino where they would not drive an hour and a half. Particularly with the cost of gas. I used to go to Turfway park several times a month but when they were closed I would only get to Keenland once during their meet. The drive kept me away. So I think you get both new players and current gamblers playing more often. In NKY, Louisville and Owensboro there would probably not be that much of an increase, if any. The other part to the problem is how much of the income is returned to the social services to help with the additional challenges they face.

 

There's a lot to both sides of the argument, which is exactly why the voters in KY deserve the right to decide. Not Williams.

The article I shared in post 105 indicates that the problems do grow when casinos come in. The factor in KY would be how much since casinos are already in the region. I just think it makes sense that someone in Richmond might drive a half hour to go to a casino where they would not drive an hour and a half. Particularly with the cost of gas. I used to go to Turfway park several times a month but when they were closed I would only get to Keenland once during their meet. The drive kept me away. So I think you get both new players and current gamblers playing more often. In NKY, Louisville and Owensboro there would probably not be that much of an increase, if any. The other part to the problem is how much of the income is returned to the social services to help with the additional challenges they face.

 

There's a lot to both sides of the argument, which is exactly why the voters in KY deserve the right to decide. Not Williams.

 

I guess my question would be how many of those folks are already engaging in other forms of gambling, either illegal or legal? Every small town has places that have those CherryMaster machines, whether at a gas station, bar or VFW or Legion hall. Lotto and bingo halls are available everywhere, and there are OTB parlors all over the state, even in places such as Corbin, Hazard, Pineville, Pikeville. You can find a poker game anywhere, for large stakes if you look hard enough. Online off-shore gambling is relatively easy to sign up for, and bookies can be found everywhere.

 

All I'm saying is there is a full menu of gambling options available, including going to a casino. It's silly to take the stance of "we don't want it in Kentucky" when it already is going on. It's silly to let the funds stream across the river to support other state governments when we should be keeping it here at home.

No Walmart?

 

Two actually both of them super. Just so Rockmom doesn't have to responed there are several in surrounding communities as well.