Time to let us gamble
All you politicians who want to raise our taxes, I have a solution that will reduce taxes and gain you lots of votes.
Let’s legalize gambling. If you really want to pay for that trolley car, institute a lottery. Besides Utah, we are the only other state without one.
You legalize a product (marijuana) that is proven to negatively affect people’s lives and brains but you won’t consider a business that could bring in billions in revenue, pay for the tram, reduce our cost of living and create hundreds of jobs.
I suggest one casino on each island (maybe two on Oahu) possibly in locations that need an economic boost and outside the city, such as Turtle Bay, Hilo, the Coco Palms on Kauai, Kapalua – Maui, Lanai, the old Sheraton on Molokai.
Gaming machines would not be allowed in grocery stores, gas stations, drug stores or bars.
Retaining our local population here at home instead of traveling to Las Vegas would save lives and keep the money in the state.
This would also create a boom for tourism in areas that need it. What do you say HTA? In many families, the husband/father only wants to gamble in Vegas when the rest of the family wants to go to Hawaii on vacation. Legalization solves the problem. All those folks from Asia who fly right over us on their way to Vegas could now stop in Hawaii and leave their money here instead. Casinos attract big time entertainment. The shows would now come to us and bring all their followers with them.
Yes, there are the usual arguments to gaming:
Religion – if your religion prohibits it, don’t go. But don’t deny others.
Increased law enforcement. It’s a myth. The strip is safer than Waikiki because the hotels police their own. Hawaii already has strip clubs, cockfights, mafia, etc. Enforcement is already in place.
People get hooked on gambling.
Gambling is already well entrenched in Hawaii. We are a state full of gamblers over numerous venues. Better to keep them home rather than expensive trips off island. Keeping gaming to a few select casinos will reduce impulse gambling.
With all this money pouring in, we could reduce property and gas taxes, eliminate the state income tax and each county could keep the TAT from their respective casino.
It’s a win-win, no-brainer.
Lynn Sebek
Waimea