Will Casino Gambling Mean a Tourism Increase for Kentucky?
Will Casino Gambling Mean a Tourism Increase for Kentucky? Save Email Print
Posted: 12:29 AM Feb 27, 2008
Last Updated: 12:32 AM Feb 27, 2008
Reporter: Forrest Sanders
Email Address: forrest.sanders@wbko.com

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"I think it'll help college universities because it'll bring revenue that can be put toward students," says area resident Amanda West.

"There are too many bad things that come with it than just casinos," adds resident Sam Coffey.

There's no question Kentuckians are split on their feelings about casinos coming to the Commonwealth.

"I think it's a great way to increase revenue and help boost the economy," adds WKU student Matthew Ballinger.

But will the addition of casino gambling mean an increase in tourism for Kentucky?
Sandra Jenkins at the Travel Authority isn't so sure.

"I think there are a lot of things that bring people here and I just don't see that as a big attraction," explains Jenkins.

Jenkins says in order for a tourist destination to become a true success, it needs to be more than a center for gambling.

"The only reason I think people do Las Vegas is because of the shows because of the name," Jenkins adds.

But even if Kentucky adds those attractions to the state some say they'd rather Kentucky not be known as a casino state.

"It'll bring so many tourists to this area, but I think the risk of people getting addicted to gambling would increase," says West.

Others say the addition will just keep Kentuckians from going traveling to other states.

"My parents go down to Memphis all the time, they go up to Indiana on the boats all the time," Ballinger adds.

But with the house rejecting the amendment, the issue will return, giving residents plenty of opportunities to speak their mind.

"I think it's going to be great," says Ballinger.

"I hadn't made up my mind yet," adds West.

"If it came to a vote, I'd vote no," Coffey concludes.

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Posted by: Donald Location: Bowling Green on Feb 27, 2008 at 02:12 PM
In my opinion, gambling is a vice that tends to degrade those who engage in it and also those who must depend on the one who gambles for some kind of support. Gambling is addictive. I know and have known people who have lost everything they have materially due to gambling. If it is placed on the ballot, the vast majority of Kentuckians will not approve Casino Gambling. We do not want to become another "SIN" city or state like Las Vegas and Nevada are known. Casino gambling attracts other illegal activities and it is a sorry situation when an elected official promotes a vice as the solution to all of our financial/budget problems.

Posted by: Eric Location: Bowling Green on Feb 27, 2008 at 08:14 AM
Go to Atlantic City, NJ. Check out the city surrounding the casinos.Check out the whole state for all it matters. Then come back to Kentucky and tell us how casinos have helped NJ. As far as the Pro Casino argument, "we are loosing money to states like IN because they go there to gamble",... Prostitution is legal in Nevada, so should Arizona make it legal so they don't loose money to Nevada? What a lame argument for casinos. If someone goes to IN to gamble, at least they leave it there when they come back to KY. As far as revenue for education, this is nothing more that a tactic, tugging on your heart strings, helping the poor students, educate our kids. Truth is, if the casino owners could come into Kentucky today, without the need to "pass an amendment" They would do it in a second, and the kids would not see a dime, because the casino owners care less about you childs education. The house always wins, don't forget it.

Posted by: MARIE BARTRUM Location: MORGANTOWN KY on Feb 27, 2008 at 07:44 AM
YES I BELIVE IN CASINOS THERE ARE 27 OF US GO OVER TO INDIANA TO GAMBLE. SO ITS BETTER TO PUT OUR MONEY TO KY THEN INDY. WE GAMBLE NOW WITH LOTTERY SO PUT CASINOS IN HERE IT HELP KENTUCKY THX MARIE

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