The Gambling Industry: Always the Whiners

The Gambling Industry fails to pay its fair share of taxes even though gambling is wildly profitable. Always noteworthy are the whines and threats emanating from the Industry when asked to pick up their share of costs.

A federal study determined that for every $1 in tax revenues from Gambling, the cost to taxpayers is $3, to which they respond by telling you ALL that they have done, but never get to that dastardly COST part.

Reading about all of this reminded me of my friend, Gladys and Six Degrees of Suffolk Downs we've heard it all before - same words, different state, we're on the same page. It's always the same.

Casino workers protest proposed tax increase

SIOUX CITY -- Gov. Terry Branstad stopped in Sioux City Friday morning for a town hall meeting highlighting his adminstration's efforts to create new jobs in the state.

More a dozen Argosy Casino Sioux City employees sat together, wearing matching yellow T-shirts with the words, "Save Sioux City Jobs," in big red letters. [And always, the rule is to provide T-shirts and bus people in to create the illusion of great support, however bogus.]

"I'm not convinced that's the case that you would have to discontinue table games," Branstad responded.

The governor maintains the casinos can afford to contribute an estimated $190 million in additional taxes to help fund his campaign promise of cutting the state's corporate taxes by 50 percent.

Having the nation's highest corporate tax rate scares off new businesses, and impedes the growth of existing ones, he said.

"I've seen the (gaming) industry grow and flourish and be very profitable. I think you would have to acknowlebge that," Branstad told Shearin.

If Branstad's tax plan is approved, the Argosy would be forced to not only lay off staff, but also cut purchases of equipment, supplies and services by more than $1 million annually, as well as reduce its local charitable donations, Eder [If Branstad's tax plan is approved, the Argosy would be forced to not only lay off staff, but also cut purchases of equipment, supplies and services by more than $1 million annually, as well as reduce its local charitable donations, Eder [Argosy general manager Kees Eder] said.