COLUMN: ‘Development gone haywire': Resident speaks out at casino meeting
Lauren Newell
Editor’s Note: Lauren Newell delivered this statement at the casino town hall held at Sandestin on Tuesday. The meeting was closed to the media, so The Sun asked participants to offer their take on the meeting.
My name is Lauren Newell of Crystal Lake. I am 28 years old and probably one of the youngest Sandestin residents in this room.
Speaking as a young person and on behalf of many in my generation who are residents of South Walton county, we as young people are extremely appalled at even the thought of establishing a casino in our town. What have we come to, to not recognize the real and potential hazards of a casino that will viciously wipe out the very social and economic fabric of our community?
This is not economic development. This is development gone haywire.
In fact, studies (Research Bureau 2007, Walker 2007) show that there is no correlation to strong economic growth with respect to the establishment of a casino. Furthermore, there has been little evidence on the effects of casino gambling on state economic growth. While there maybe some revenue locally and a new jobs, casino revenue growth tends to stagnate after several years. Additionally, casinos do not lead to a diversification of the economy.
Contrary to what benefits may be proposed here, we cannot ignore the fact that the social and economic costs outweigh the benefits.
According to the National Research Council, problem and pathological gamblers steal or commit other crimes to finance their habit. In a survey of nearly 400 Gamblers Anonymous members, 57 percent admitted stealing to finance their gambling. Collectively they stole $30 million for an average of $135,000 per individual. One gambler had admitted to faking his own son’s kidnapping to pay back a $50,000 gambling debt.
There is then of course the link to more violent crime, juvenile crime, more drug and alcohol-related crime, domestic violence, child abuse, suicide and organized crime. Are the Walton County Sheriff’s Office and Walton Florida Department of Children and Families equipped to handle an even greater burden on their plate? Can the county finance and allocate in their budget more resources for the law enforcement to tackle these issues?
Finally, I look to the Macau — the world’s gambling capital. Their gambling revenues surpass Las Vegas by nearly five times. Indeed their economy has boomed, but the growth has become lopsided. The Macau government is worried about the impact the casinos are having on young people and the very social fabric of their part of the world.
Rather than seeking higher education, the local young people are getting jobs at casino’s knowing they’ll have a good life, but at the same time they are developing into problem gamblers. There is less drive to compete and no spirit of entrepreneurship.
Do we want this for our young people in Walton County? Already less than 25 percent of our high school graduates are pursing higher education.
Not to mention, drug abuse and drug-related crime, the trafficking of women into prostitution has become an epidemic and there is a direct link even in Las Vegas to gambling and human trafficking. A 2010 report by the U.S. government says that women from mainland China, Mongolia, Russia and South East Asia fall prey to false advertisements for casino jobs.
Many have kept this issue silent, but already in Walton County we have a problem with human trafficking particularly those coming into our ports on supposed work schemes. I have personally met victims of sex trafficking here in Walton County. If we were to add a casino in the mix, it would only heighten the problem that we already have and threaten our fragile tourism industry.
So I ask you Sandestin Homeowners Association and Walton County officials, do you really want the blood of human trafficking on your hands by strengthening this organized crime with the establishment of a casino?
I’ve been to Las Vegas once for a conservative conference and that will be the last time. I saw children passing out nude ads for sexual entertainment left and right outside the casinos. My heart broke for the children and I was disgusted. It is all too personal because sexual crime is the darkest side to a casino.
I am a victim and an overcomer of sexual assault outside a local casino where I could have easily been trafficked. It was by the grace of God that I wasn’t.
So when you look at me. Think of your children and children's children.
Do you want them to be a victim to the dark perverse crimes and downfalls associated with casinos? I beg of you to please consider our youth and the dangerous effects of a casino destroying the economic and social fabric of our community.
Think long term. It is not worth the risk. Let’s instead invest in our youth and promote healthy entrepreneurship for the good of the community.
Joe Soto and the Chicago Casino
4 years ago
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