The impact of alcohol?

Another potential issue is that casinos can attract crime. Eagle Mountain tries to mitigate that by not serving alcohol.


Interesting solution! Yet Massachusetts elected to provide FREE ALCOHOL.


Porterville gaming gives Kern glimpse of what may come here
BY COURTENAY EDELHART Californian staff writer

More than six million Americans meet the criteria for a gambling problem in any given year, according to the National Council on Problem Gambling.

They are often preoccupied with gambling, bet more money more frequently, lie about the money and time they spend gambling, and often chase their losses, according to California Council on Problem Gambling Executive Director Robert Jacobson.

The council doesn't take a position for or against legal gambling, but it does note that the prevalence of problem gambling tends to increase when gaming is nearby and easily accessible, he said.

"I would just hope that if a casino does open, they choose to pursue their social responsibility to contribute to agencies that address problem gambling, either ours or someone else's," Jacobson said.

Another potential issue is that casinos can attract crime. Eagle Mountain tries to mitigate that by not serving alcohol.

"We're totally dry," Larsen said.

There's a heavy and visible security presence everywhere you go at Eagle Mountain. Uniformed guards patrol the gaming floor, which is separated into smoking and non-smoking sections. Discreet security cameras peer down from above.

The tribe also tries to improve its image by giving back to Bakersfield and other communities that have supported it over the years. Eagle Mountain regularly contributes to food pantries, homeless shelters and the Relay for Life cancer fundraiser, among other charities.