Proposition 1 — an initiative created by anti gambling zealots that would have doomed an industry that provides $2.9 million to
“It was a long fight, and we were accused of a lot of things that just weren’t true,” says Hess of the contentiousness that permeated the battle over Proposition 1 between anti gambling activists and legitimate businessmen like Hess who faced an end to their livelihoods had the proposition succeeded. “I just want to say thank you to the
Hess shouldn’t be the only one saying thanks. While the failure of Proposition 1 ensures businesses like the Great American Casino will be able to keep their doors open, the positive impact mini-casinos have on life in
“If it had passed, we would have shut the casino down,” says Hess, noting that food and drink sales make up a miniscule chunk of the Great American Casino’s business. “For me it would have meant possibly losing my house, my car and a way of feeding my kids.”
On top of the positive economic affects of mini-casinos in
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“Proposition 1 was just a bad deal for
Yes it was, and voters apparently realized it. While the idea of helping problem gamblers is a nice one, especially in a city like Lakewood, which — in case you haven’t noticed — is surrounded by other cities, towns and reservations (duh!) with gaming, the positive affect of Proposition 1 would have been minimal at best. That’s the problem with trying to legislate people’s values.
“This was about someone’s beliefs,” says Hess, who suggested the fervor behind Proposition 1 had religious ties. “To try to save the 1 percent of people with a gambling problem by passing Proposition 1 just wouldn’t have worked.”
He’s right. And luckily, voters in
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