A proposed casino addition to Dejope Bingo Hall, 4002 Evan Acres Rd., has Dane County residents worried about possible financial burdens and increased gambling addictions.
\I'm still polling constituents, but most of the [constituents] do not want gaming in Dane County, but this year the state cut $7 million and next year it may be $10 million,"" said Dane County Sup. Brett Hulsey, District 11. ""We have very few options other than raising property tax or vital family services.""
Special Assistant to the Chancellor Casey Nagy agreed the casino could be beneficial to the city, saying it offers financial and recreational benefits.
Currently gambling is illegal in the county, but the Ho Chunk Hotel and Casino in Baraboo, has done well financially.
Hulsey said he wants to research how Ho Chunk has affected law enforcement and human services in Sauk County.
Casinos have traditionally offered a funding source to American Indian tribes, such as the Ho Chunk Nation, which owns Dejope.
""Generally, gaming has been an overwhelming success for American Indian tribes. They have used revenue to help with education, health care and cultural preservation,"" said Ned Blackhawk, UW-Madison assistant professor of history and American Indian studies. ""The biggest problem is that tribes may become overly dependent to gaming for their funds.""
There are also gambling addiction concerns.
""If [Dejope is] a 10-minute drive instead of a an hour drive [to Ho Chunk], it will make it more convenient for someone with a preexisting addiction to gamble,"" said Bob McGrath, University Health Services director of counseling and counsultory services.
According to McGrath, pathological gambling occurs earlier in adolescence for men than for women. This may affect the student population, which falls within this age range.
Hulsey had concerns with the possible negative consequences of the casino, saying bankruptcy and family problems could increase due to gambling addictions.
McGrath said after this summer's triple homicide in Verona, there were concerns gambling was the underlying reason.
Casinos have devised ways of keeping gamblers at the tables and slot machine.
""Casinos tend to not have clocks, and I've heard that extra oxygen has been pumped into them [casinos] in order to keep people awake. In Nevada you get free drinks when gambling because it inhibits your judgement,"" McGrath said.
