Comments on: Anti-Gambling Feelings Dominate Escambia County Hearing

By: Everett

Everett — Wed, 20 Nov 2013 09:50:34 +0000

I need some help on this one.

We have the lottery that is supposedly helping the schools. We’ve had dog racing here for over 40 years. We have these sliding quarter machines locally. So why not a nice casino on the beach. Casino beach (Pensacola beach) had a casino in the 20’s and 30’s. So why not now. I’ve never seen anyone chained to a casino bus to Mississippi

By: melodies4us

melodies4us — Tue, 19 Nov 2013 02:22:40 +0000

Gambling is already”allowed” . So this is not about whether or not gambling is moral. This is about letting the state get some of the billions of dollars that only the “Indians” are allowed to collect. It is crazy to say it is legal for the indians to own and opperate casinos but it is illegal for any other citizens to own and operate casinos.

By: 429SCJ

429SCJ — Mon, 18 Nov 2013 12:44:47 +0000

If people want to spend their earnings on scratchies then let them scratch.
I don’t care as long as they use the kiosk and do not clog the check out lines.

No one forces anyone to walk into a casino, if they loose their behind then that is their weak mind.

By: BOGIAN

BOGIAN — Mon, 18 Nov 2013 12:41:13 +0000

I’m no expert, but it doesn’t seem like casinos send out teams of people to forcibly abduct guests and bring them to their gambling dens. As I recall, folks go in there willingly. Do some get hooked on that sweet, delicious gambling? Probably. Don’t other people get hooked on sweet, delicious cigarettes or sweet, delicious alcohol? Must we extend prohibition to these vices which are, evidently, more socially acceptable? I would say no.

Let the people gamble. Keep the money local. Quit supporting the tribes and the other large gambling operations. Why wait on an organization with ethnic hiring preferences to give you crumbs from the table when you could pull up a chair for yourself? Why burn gas to go to Biloxi and lose your cash when you could lose your paycheck right around the corner?

By: JSCS

JSCS — Mon, 18 Nov 2013 04:56:34 +0000

Do we REALLY need more problems in Fl. than we already have?

I think NOT!

By: Rob G

Rob G — Sat, 16 Nov 2013 13:18:47 +0000

Big Bill… If you don’t like gambling then fine. Don’t try to push your beliefs on me or the people of Escambia County. If grown men and women go and blow their whole check at a casino then that is on them. We need the good paying jobs in this county, however it is a shame that our so called leaders can’t bring in any other jobs other than casinos. Basically Big Bill you need to do your homework. A majority of the people living around the casinos in Biloxi are military and the other people are uneducated slackers. Are you a slacker? Hmmm.

By: Tuf

Tuf — Sat, 16 Nov 2013 12:49:14 +0000

One more comment:

I voted against having a lottery in Florida, and I would vote against it again if I could.

With so many people despising governmental involvement in their lives, I cannot for the life of me understand how those same people could support a publicly operated and sanctioned gambling system.

I see the cute flamingo logo no differently than Joe Camel, too. Enticing people into yet another addiction.

By: Tuf

Tuf — Sat, 16 Nov 2013 12:42:32 +0000

I agree with Shane Moody of the Destin C of C (last two paragraphs of the article). Is this what Floridians really want for all of Florida? Does this really fit with what we want Florida to be?

Miami-Dade and Broward Counties have dynamic international economies driven by far, far more than tourism. The long-established wagering sports, and more recent additions of Seminole and Miccosukee casinos, are but a tiny fraction and revenue source for these major urban centers, where 20% of all Floridians reside.

Where I see increased gambling as a problem is in medium and smaller counties, where the machines and casinos become a domineering force and a perceived “job creator” where few jobs previously existed. Casinos and gaming become governmental and private sector financial addictions. In other words, if the casino needs a $100K traffic signal, the public pays the bill. New stores come in, and over burden existing infrastructure, then everyone has to pay, instead of the developers and profiteers.

The biggest surprise to me in the article is S of S Pam Bondi supporting gaming expansion. Ultra conservative, backed by the evangelical and Tea Party base of the Florida Republicans, national political aspirations, supporting gambling expansion? Really? I would think the evangelical base would be fit to be tied and very vocal against such a stand.

By: citizen

citizen — Sat, 16 Nov 2013 01:21:57 +0000

We don’t need others personal religious views to hold back jobs . The casino in Atmore Alabama is probably the best thing that ever happened to Atmore. It created jobs, and the whole surrounding area business have been created due to the extra traffic to the specific area.

This is the most nonsense statement ever, does he have any peer reviewed scientific data to back this up? Otherwise his statement is meaningless

“Florida Sheriffs Association, predicted that the while there may be a short-term economic boon through real estate and construction after casinos are approved, the revenue “flat lines” around the five-year mark while divorce, domestic violence and even police corruption could be expected to grow”

Higher divorce rates because they have a casino? Where is the scientific evidence that divorce rates would be related to that? It sounds like this was just a bunch of people with religious views trying to oppress the majority.

By: sylvia pearson

sylvia pearson — Fri, 15 Nov 2013 22:55:47 +0000

To all the bleeding hearts I say there will always be alcoholics, drug addicts, and compulsive gamblers– No matter what you do or not do you cannot prevent this- In my opinion, if Pensacola does not take advantage of these job opportunities and extra revenue it is not only dumb but stupid. Note I said my opinion, which opinions are like behinds-everyone has one.