A few months ago I contacted various political campaign offices looking for information regarding their candidate’s take on gaming-related issues. Casino Enterprise Management will be focusing on government and gaming in December. Here is a look at statements I received from a couple campaigns.
Republican Dennis Daugaard, running for Governor in South Dakota, is currently the Lt. Governor of the state. His opponent, Democrat Scott Heidepriem, says South Dakota needs to tackle what he sees as the drain of state dollars into the Larchwood, Iowa casino being built just a few miles from Sioux Falls, SD. Heidepriem has said that as governor-elect, he would convene a task force to study options such as building a casino in Sioux Falls.
Lt. Gov. Daugaard sent me a letter, outlining his stance on gaming-related issues. He began with his take on building a casino in Sioux Falls.
“I am extremely reluctant to support building a casino in Sioux Falls. There is little support in the state for a casino there and I do not believe it should be a high priority. But I am always willing to listen to ideas. In any case, hasty action is a mistake. We must monitor the effect of the Iowa casino closely. Much of the impact could very well be positive in terms of employment for Sioux Falls residents and additional commerce in the area. “
Daugaard also addressed the casino industry in Deadwood, which is surrounded by the Black Hills National Forest and is on the western side of the state, opposite of Sioux Falls.
“I’ve always been supportive of casino gaming in Deadwood. I believe gaming there has revitalized the city and transformed it into a destination. If elected governor, I would continue to be a strong supporter of Deadwood casino gaming.
Though I am supportive of our current gaming options, there is not a whole lot of room for expansion of the industry in South Dakota. With gaming in Deadwood, tribal gaming, video lottery, and the state lottery, I do not see a great need for expansion.”
Daugaard also addressed his opposition to i-gaming.
“I believe the federal government should get serious and crack down on interstate internet gaming. Internet gaming is extremely addictive and it is always available. This makes it extremely dangerous to families. So far, the federal government has done a poor job of stopping internet gaming. With some commitment, the federal government can and should do better.”
Representative Dina Titus (D) is running for reelection in Nevada for the District 3 seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. Titus is running against Republican Joe Heck who is a physician, Iraq War veteran and former state senator.
Rep. Titus’s campaign sent the following responses to my questions for her.
Q: What do gaming industry leaders need to know about your campaign?
A: As a resident of Southern Nevada for more than 30 years, I understand the vital role that the gaming industry plays in our community, providing jobs and economic opportunity for Nevadans. In my state, the gaming industry employed more than 177,000 people and gaming tax revenue totaled more than $830 million in 2009. I am committed to strengthening the gaming industry and helping it weather these tough economic times.
Q: What gaming-related votes, decisions or career moves have you made in the past that you would like to highlight for our readers?
A: I have been working in Congress to impress upon my colleagues that gaming is an important industry that creates jobs and provides tax revenue to many states across the country. Unfortunately, the economic recession has led to a significant decrease in gaming revenue - and gaming jobs - across the country. With less discretionary income, Americans are traveling less and spending less. In order to help the gaming industry, it is critical that we get our economy back on the right track. That is why I supported the Recovery Act, which gave 95 percent of working Americans a tax cut, and why I will continue to support efforts to jumpstart our national economy. I also was proud to support the Travel Promotion Act to bring millions of additional travelers to the United States at no cost to the taxpayers. By creating a public-private partnership to promote our nation as a leading international travel destination, it will encourage travelers to visit Las Vegas and our world-class casinos. Additionally, I joined with my Nevada colleagues to vote against a Republican procedural motion that unfairly singled out casinos. The gaming industry is important to my state and to the nation, and it is time we stop making it the whipping boy for all that is wrong in Washington.
Q: How might keeping you in office impact the gaming industry?
A: You will find no stronger advocate for gaming interests in Congress. If reelected, I will continue fighting to ensure the gaming industry is treated fairly and equitably. Additionally, I will not rest until our economy has recovered and Americans once again have the discretionary income necessary to travel and enjoy a night out at one of Las Vegas' world famous casinos.
Q: Do you think the federal government should approve and regulate interstate internet gambling? Why?
A: Yes, I do. I am a cosponsor of legislation pending in Congress to legalize and regulate Internet gaming. Not only do I believe that a legal and well-regulated Internet gaming industry will prove beneficial to our brick-and-mortar casinos, it will also provide additional, much-needed tax revenue for our states.
Comments
Post new comment