Casino Gambling in Nebraska

[HuskerLove1]

I really wish that TO would just keep his comments to himself...

Osborne, Ricketts warn against casino gambling's social costs

Every dollar in resulting revenue would lead to three or four dollars in social costs, former Nebraska football coach Tom Osborne warned, and "once you start it, you're never going

journalstar.com

Not sure how many of you frequent the casinos in Council Bluffs, but I go pretty often and at any given time if you asked 100 people where they're from 95 will tell you they're from Nebraska.

The amount of money that we essentially GIVE to Iowa every year is disgusting! Our taxes, especially vehicle taxes, are stupid high and allowing casino gambling in Nebraska would help to reduce that significantly! We need to keep our money in-state and stop giving it away.

 

[cubsker]

Ricketts against gambling while his family made their money off of (mostly) idiots daytrading.

 

[nwualum]

So Tom isn't allowed to give his opinion? Sorry but that makes no sense. He's a voting citizen just like everyone else. I would also prefer to keep casinos out. Council Bluffs did it and then had to raise property taxes multiple times. They end up driving out local restaurants and other businesses. No thanks. That's MY opinion. I respect yours but I'm voting no.

 

[HamptonHusker]

I really wish that TO would just keep his comments to himself...

Osborne, Ricketts warn against casino gambling's social costs

Every dollar in resulting revenue would lead to three or four dollars in social costs, former Nebraska football coach Tom Osborne warned, and "once you start it, you're never going

journalstar.com

Not sure how many of you frequent the casinos in Council Bluffs, but I go pretty often and at any given time if you asked 100 people where they're from 95 will tell you they're from Nebraska.

The amount of money that we essentially GIVE to Iowa every year is disgusting! Our taxes, especially vehicle taxes, are stupid high and allowing casino gambling in Nebraska would help to reduce that significantly! We need to keep our money in-state and stop giving it away.

Totally agree, if this passes it will save the horse racing industry in our state as well, which would save a ton of jobs.

 

[HuskerLove1]

So Tom isn't allowed to give his opinion? Sorry but that makes no sense. He's a voting citizen just like everyone else. I would also prefer to keep casinos out. Council Bluffs did it and then had to raise property taxes multiple times. They end up driving out local restaurants and other businesses. No thanks. That's MY opinion. I respect yours but I'm voting no.

Here's the difference - TO is not a normal person in this state when it comes to sharing opinions. If he were, do you really think they would have asked/allowed him to discuss this publicly? The answer is no.

 

[HamptonHusker]

So Tom isn't allowed to give his opinion? Sorry but that makes no sense. He's a voting citizen just like everyone else. I would also prefer to keep casinos out. Council Bluffs did it and then had to raise property taxes multiple times. They end up driving out local restaurants and other businesses. No thanks. That's MY opinion. I respect yours but I'm voting no.

Nebraska isn't going to open any casinos if this passes. The machines will only go in race tracks.

 

[nwualum]

Also, the horse racing industry is already subsidized by the state. How many jobs does it really support?

 

[HamptonHusker]

Also, the horse racing industry is already subsidized by the state. How many jobs does it really support?

Obviously you have never been to Fonner Park during live racing. You should check it out sometime.

 

[HuskerLove1]

Nebraska isn't going to open any casinos if this passes. The machines will only go in race tracks.

So I just googled 'Nebraska casino bill' and there was a site created by those who opposed it - this is from their FAQ section:

WILL CASINOS BE LIMITED ONLY TO LICENSED RACETRACKS?
No.
Despite attempts to mislead voters, if the initiative to amend the Nebraska Constitution to legalize all game of chance is successful, this will also allow all games of chance to be conducted on tribal lands – whether or not at a racetrack.
Full-blown casinos could be built not only at racetracks, but anywhere Native American tribes own land in Nebraska, opening the door for casinos across the entire state.

 

[WHCSC]

The amount of money that we essentially GIVE to Iowa every year is disgusting! Our taxes, especially vehicle taxes, are stupid high and allowing casino gambling in Nebraska would help to reduce that significantly! We need to keep our money in-state and stop giving it away.

So don't go. Stop giving your money to Iowa. Simple.

 

[John_J_Rambo]

Everyone who wants to gamble today in NE already does it, whether in counciltucky or via offshore sites/personal bookies.

Prohibition is stone-aged thinking that only hurts the state’s bottom line while not helping anyone.

 

[litespeedhuskerfan]

Not in favor of it, won't vote for it, but if it happens so be it. Not a big fan of legalizing weed either, but whatevs.

 

[HuskerLove1]

So don't go. Stop giving your money to Iowa. Simple.

I enjoy going to the casino and playing poker, and my only option right now is to drive to CB.

Giving my money to Iowa is obviously not keeping me from going to the casino, nor is it keeping the 95% of people who go to the casino from going either. The point is that we (ie. the state of Nebraska) are giving tens of millions of dollars to Iowa each year simply because we're 'too good' to allow gambling in our state.

 

[HuskerJack95]

Ricketts against gambling while his family made their money off of (mostly) idiots daytrading.

Source??

 

[HuskerJack95]

I enjoy going to the casino and playing poker, and my only option right now is to drive to CB.

Giving my money to Iowa is obviously not keeping me from going to the casino, nor is it keeping the 95% of people who go to the casino from going either. The point is that we (ie. the state of Nebraska) are giving tens of millions of dollars to Iowa each year simply because we're 'too good' to allow gambling in our state.

Remember when then-mayor Hal Daub said that Council Bluffs was an "X-Rated City?"

 

[leodisflowers]

Everyone who wants to gamble today in NE already does it, whether in counciltucky or via offshore sites/personal bookies.

Prohibition is stone-aged thinking that only hurts the state’s bottom line while not helping anyone.

This is true. People that want to gamble are going to do it and already have a work around. If they are like me, even if it were legal, I would still probably use my bookie for the most part unless I was able to be at a sportsbook spot.

 

[WHCSC]

my only option right now is to drive to CB

Or just don't do it. It's your choice. You have an option.

 

[HuskerLove1]

Or just don't do it. It's your choice. You have an option.

You're grumpy.

Will you please do me one favor and tell me to 'get off your lawn'? And if you're feeling really generous I'd also like a 'slow down, this is a neighborhood!'

Thank you in-advance

 

[beatdahuskers]

I support legalizing gambling in Nebraska. I do not support just having gambling in horse tracks and with that will likely vote against the measures.

Ricketts fear of increased crime is just not warranted. You hear of shootings in Omaha, but not Council Bluffs. And if you have been to the casinos in CB, they are retirees, not drug addicts.

Here's the real difference. Omaha build the Quest Center/ Century Link/ Catholic Hospital Arena by borrowing money. Council Bluffs built the MAC (certainly a difference in size and cost) and paid cash through the Iowa West Foundation, which is casino money. They also funded that ugly ass 'art' we see on the interstate. (Nobody said they have taste) and paid for their half of the Kerry Pedestrian Bridge and Hannafin Park.

I also figured that if stand alone casinos were permitted it would bring in significantly more employment.

I like legalizing gaming but just not limited to horse tracks.

Change my mind.

 

[baseball31ne]

Here's the difference - TO is not a normal person in this state when it comes to sharing opinions. If he were, do you really think they would have asked/allowed him to discuss this publicly? The answer is no.

So if there are famous people within the state who are supporting it and then wanting the passage of it, would you tell them not to voice their opinion either?

 

[HuskerLove1]

So if there are famous people within the state who are supporting it and then wanting the passage of it, would you tell them not to voice their opinion either?

Of course not - that would go against what I'm hoping to accomplish

My point is that TO has his hooks way too deep into this state - he's the main reason why we can't enjoy a beer at memorial stadium or at Pinnacle Bank during a basketball game.

 

[mwulf]

Would a potential casino have to be river related or if it passed could they build a casino/sportsbook in Ashland if they wanted to?

 

[HuskerLove1]

Would a potential casino have to be river related or if it passed could they build a casino/sportsbook in Ashland if they wanted to?

I believe the way the bill is currently written would allow a full-blown casino anywhere as long as it was either A) at a racetrack or B) on tribal lands.

I wouldn't image it will take long for tribes to buy-up whatever land they can between Lincoln/Omaha and start building a casino.

 

[baseball31ne]

Of course not - that would go against what I'm hoping to accomplish

My point is that TO has his hooks way too deep into this state - he's the main reason why we can't enjoy a beer at memorial stadium or at Pinnacle Bank during a basketball game.

So if he was pushing for your desired outcome you’d be rolling him out daily, for it. Good to know the level of hypocrisy. I mean all of us are at one time or another. Thanks for being honest. Have a good day

 

[WHCSC]

You're grumpy.

Will you please do me one favor and tell me to 'get off your lawn'? And if you're feeling really generous I'd also like a 'slow down, this is a neighborhood!'

Thank you in-advance

Not grumpy. I just prefer that people say the truth. You have the option of not "giving Iowa your money." You just choose to do it anyway.

 

[Swiv3D]

Here's the difference - TO is not a normal person in this state when it comes to sharing opinions. If he were, do you really think they would have asked/allowed him to discuss this publicly? The answer is no.

If you let people/celebrities decide for you how to vote without doing your own research to make sure you make a cognitive decision based on what you perceive to be best for yourself and those around you, you shouldn't vote

 

[jrhuskerdad]

Would a potential casino have to be river related or if it passed could they build a casino/sportsbook in Ashland if they wanted to?

Yes. I heard due to social distancing restrictions that they're going to have to pass out waterproof iPads and let people gamble while they float on an innertube down the Niobrara.

 

[JohnRossEwing]

Vote them in...for the first year, charge 1 dollar to get into the casion(s) and take each dollar and immediately give it to the schools or towards property taxes.

After that, take a % and use that money for the state.

 

[HuskerLove1]

If you let people/celebrities decide for you how to vote without doing your own research to make sure you make a cognitive decision based on what you perceive to be best for yourself and those around you, you shouldn't vote

Just keep in-mind the HUGE push (like I've never seen before) to get people out to vote that historically haven't - this is going to lead to people 'checking the box' for an item that they don't fully understand. Naturally, people are going to think back to what they've heard and for some it's going to be 'what did this famous or that famous person say about it?'. Kanye West wants to run for president and we all know he'd get votes just because he's famous and relevant (although not for positive reasons the last few years).

 

[GBRforLife1]

So don't go. Stop giving your money to Iowa. Simple.

Not one of your better replies. People are going to gamble.

To pretend that we're avoiding the social issues in Nebraska because the casinos are on the other side of the river is ridiculously naive.

 

[HuskerLove1]

Not grumpy. I just prefer that people say the truth. You have the option of not "giving Iowa your money." You just choose to do it anyway.

Not sure where I failed to 'say the truth' at any point during this thread...

I know that it's my choice whether or not I go to the casinos in Iowa, but what's not my choice is the amount of taxes I have to pay because the state I live in refuses to allow gambling within its boarders.

 

[WHCSC]

Not one of your better replies. People are going to gamble.

To pretend that we're avoiding the social issues in Nebraska because the casinos are on the other side of the river is ridiculously naive.

"They're going to do it anyway"

 

[WHCSC]

Not sure where I failed to 'say the truth' at any point during this thread...

I know that it's my choice whether or not I go to the casinos in Iowa, but what's not my choice is the amount of taxes I have to pay because the state I live in refuses to allow gambling within its boarders.

You said you had no other options but to gamble in CB

 

[HuskerLove1]

You said you had no other options but to gamble in CB

You're right, I guess I could just as easily drive the extra two hours to Kansas City instead...

 

[WHCSC]

You're right, I guess I could just as easily drive the extra two hours to Kansas City instead...

So not gambling isn't an option?

 

[HuskerLove1]

So not gambling isn't an option?

In-theory, sure, not gambling is always an option for me.

Playing poker is a way for me to unwind after a stressful week of work, and my wife allows me to go, so as long as it IS an option for me then I'm going to go.

Would sure be nice to drive 10 mins to the casino instead of an hour.

And if the bill does pass, assuming you live here in Nebraska, then you're welcome in-advance for my patronage which will eventually lead to a lesser tax obligation for yourself.

 

[litespeedhuskerfan]

Yes. I heard due to social distancing restrictions that they're going to have to pass out waterproof iPads and let people gamble while they float on an innertube down the Niobrara.

Just did that 2 weeks ago, had the entire river, even the banks, to ourselves. 100% it was freaking sweet. Didn't see any I pads though.

 

[huskerfan1414]

Not really for it or against it, but I do have to laugh at people who dont think this wont have a negative impact. Its called ”counciltucky” for a reason, ya know.

And tax money is overblown depending on who is in charge in the state. Highly doubtful we ever actually see tax savings.
They need to include in this bill a new stated tax proposal hat actually guarantees taxpayers will benefit from the savings for me to support it.

 

[schuele]

If "Gambling with the Good Life" is anything like its predecessors, it's mostly funded by the parent companies of the Council Bluffs casinos.

Same thing happens in Colorado, where casinos are confined to the old mining towns of Blackhawk, Central City and Cripple Creek. Blackhawk was supposed to be "preserved" through gaming revenue but is now just a giant strip mall. And whenever there's a proposal to expand gambling beyond the current locations, the big Blackhawk casinos spend a fortune to fund a "Hell in a handbasket!!!" campaign.

 

[orclover]

Everyone who wants to gamble today in NE already does it, whether in counciltucky or via offshore sites/personal bookies.

Prohibition is stone-aged thinking that only hurts the state’s bottom line while not helping anyone.

Yeah, the puritan belief that prohibition stops the act needs to go away. Humans find a way to get their way. If an act is so egregious that it requires separation from society in order to protect individuals then it should be illegal, if it merely a vice that requires education and treatment it should be legalized. I live in a state that makes every drug, prostitution illegal yet I can literally find every drug and a prostitute within minutes in a decent neighborhood. Make it open, let people get help if they need it, and educate people away from things that are harmful. A society that is too stupid to regulate personally or through education is too stupid to protect with laws.