A Feb. 17 referendum will give voters a chance to weigh in on the proposed DeJope casino. Hopefully, when casting their ballots, citizens will consider both the damage a casino will cause the city of Madison and the real social implications of gambling.
In the past month, two studies have emerged that outline the potential costs and payback of expanding the Dejope facility, which lies on the outskirts of Madison. Because the studies were released by two groups that disagree on the matter, No Dane Casino and the Ho-Chunk Nation, it is difficult to assess the actual amount of money involved in the operation. For example, the anti-casino group-sponsored study reported that the Dane County economy will lose about $150 million a year as a result of the casino, while the Ho-Chunk-sponsored study claimed the casino will bring in about $47 million to the economy. This dichotomy raises questions about the credibility of both studies, but, clearly, both groups and many citizens believe the casino will have a major impact on Dane County.
The impact may disrupt the small businesses and community that help define the city of Madison. Although proponents of the casino claim it will directly create 600 new jobs, they ignore the small businesses that will suffer and, ultimately, may be forced to fire workers or even close down. The proposed casino will pull locals and tourists away from downtown restaurants, hotels and entertainment venues, as evidenced in New Jersey, Minnesota and South Dakota. Studies have shown that business activity surrounding newly-built casinos in these states declined up to 50 percent.
Even casino magnate Donald Trump admitted that \People will spend a tremendous amount of money in casinos, money that they would normally spend on buying a refrigerator or a new car. Local businesses suffer because they'll lose customer dollars to the casinos,"" according to an article in the Miami Herald.
Spokespeople from arts venues like the Barrymore Theatre and the Madison Repertory Theatre believe the unfair competition of the casino would threaten their livelihood.
""Casinos have been known to bid over the market price for talent and are willing to lose money on pop shows in order to get people on the grounds to gamble,"" according to Bob D'Angelo, who books acts for the Civic Center.
The enclosed environment of the proposed casino will also influence patronage at local bars, and, consequently, the Madison Tavern League opposes it-as do 22 of the 37 Dane County supervisors.
Curiously, the Dane County Sheriffs Association endorses the construction of the casino. The organization cites the money that Dane County and Madison will receive from Ho-Chunk as the overriding reason for the endorsement, because the $90 million over 13 years will help finance public safety. But as anyone who has played SimCity knows, casinos come at a cost. Ultimately, they put the public in more danger and therefore only cost the Madison area and Dane County more money. Street crime, domestic violence and of course gambling addiction all increase with the introduction of casinos. Any money Madison receives from the casino, whether directly or from taxes, will probably not make an assault victim or the family of a gambling addict feel much better.
State Sen. Fred Risser, D-Madison, and Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz spoke of their opposition to the casino Wednesday. As Risser said, ""[the state] should be trying to help people in society [rather] than act as an enabler for social problems."" On Feb. 17, voters will have such a chance to help Madison by voting no to the DeJope casino.
