Residents in Dane County could see a casino come to Madison next year.
Gov. Jim Doyle signed six casino gaming compacts with American Indian tribes Friday, including one with the Ho-Chunk tribe which operates the DeJope Bingo Hall in Madison, 4002 Evans Alres Rd.
According to Dan Leistikow, the governor's press secretary, under the compact the city and the county have the option of calling for a referendum on whether or not to move forward with the casino.
Dane County residents would have a chance to vote on the referendum in 2004. If the referendum passes, Leistikow said Doyle would approve a casino in DeJope Bingo Hall.
\There are people on both sides of the issues and people who feel strongly on both ways. That is why the governor feels there should be a referendum,"" Leistikow said.
The governor signed the compacts in hopes of receiving approximately $200 million over the next two years to help with the current budget crisis.
Yet Madison City Council President Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, said a casino would unfairly compete with current businesses because gambling is restricted in downtown establishments.
""The community has a long proud tradition of opposing gambling,"" Verveer said. ""Most of us feel that there are much better ways for our economy to grow.""
The possible disadvantage to current businesses is an argument the Wisconsin Tavern League has been used to oppose the gaming compacts. However, Madison/Dane County Tavern League President Barb Mercer refused to comment on this particular casino agreement.
If voters reject the agreement, the City Council could still approve a resolution asking Doyle to approve the casino. However, Leistikow said this scenario would never happen.
""[The governor] would not approve the casino if the public was against it,"" he said.
Both Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk and Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz said in a statement issued Friday that they opposed the casino.
""I said during the campaign that I am against casino gambling and my position has not changed,"" Cieslewicz said. ""I do not believe casinos, with their societal costs, are the way to build the local economy.""
Marc Marotta, the governor's administration secretary, told the Wisconsin State Journal that the compacts could help jump start the economy and the job market.
""The compacts are a down payment on the governor's commitment to balancing this budget without raising taxes,"" he said.
-Molly Borgstrom contributed to this report
