Palm Beach County’s historic dependence on tourism, farming and construction has served us well. But times change, and the economy is unforgiving. Competition now forces us to look for more sources of revenue and more fuel for the county’s economic engine to maintain quality of life.
In November, voters have an opportunity to bring more entertainment, gaming and economic strength to Palm Beach County. If they’re thinking smart, they will break out the welcome wagon and the brass band for the Palm Beach Kennel Club’s growth plans.
Here’s what you need to know about the slot machine referendum: Pluses are many, negatives are few.
Right now, local residents and tourists must drive to Broward and Miami-Dade counties to play slot machines, snatching revenue and jobs out of Palm Beach County. It results in significant losses to the local economy. There are 15 Seminole and Miccosukee casinos and pari-mutuel facilities to the south and west of us, but nary a one in this county. Doesn’t make economic sense for this to continue.
If the November referendum passes, slot machines will be limited to pari-mutuel facilities in Palm Beach County, and the Kennel Club is the sole location where such machines would be installed. And here’s what’s important: The Palm Beach Kennel Club has been a solid corporate citizen here for 80 years, 42 of them under the ownership of the Rooney family. This is no fly-by-night operation; it employs 550 people and provides an economic impact of over $100 million annually to our community. The Rooneys also own the six-time NFL Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers.
Another big advantage is that tax revenue from slots must be used for funding of public education. This means local schools will benefit. It lessens tax burdens on residents and property owners. Taxes from Kennel Club pari-mutuels and poker games inject more than $3 million each year into Florida’s education coffers, and another $2.2 million is raised here from property taxes and licensing fees. The club now has a $16 million payroll. But get this: If the referendum passes, the county Business Development Board estimates the total future economic impact to be over $9 million annually in taxes and 776 jobs for the county, with an average wage of about $38,947.
Passing this ballot item will allow the county to compete with surrounding counties where slot machines are already approved and generating revenues for their residents.
What about safeguards? The Kennel Club already is heavily regulated, and voluntarily donates substantial revenues to local law enforcement and community projects.
A long list of civic, community and business leaders, organizations and elected officials are already supporting this effort. They see the benefits.
For me, the logic is simple: If slot machines aren’t allowed here, we’re hurting our local economy and losing significant tax revenues and jobs. We need to allow Palm Beach County to stay competitive with Broward and Miami-Dade by leveling the playing field. It’s wrong for only a small number of counties in Florida to have slot facilities, while denying the others. Let the free market flourish, because prosperity blooms where capital flows.
It’s my bet that Palm Beach County voters will decide that they and Florida tourists should be able to spend their entertainment dollars right here in good ole Palm Beach County.
About John R. Smith
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The article speaks to the positives but overlooks the negatives, which may be significant, especially the most important negative in my view. There is a moral component to this issue and if we, as conservatives don’t take the high ground, who will be left to do so? Imagine if your argument (other counties are doing it so why shouldn’t we?) was used to promote prostitution. I know, prostitution isn’t legal, but neither are slots in this county, so far. The cat is already out of the bag in that gambling is already here. Horses, dogs, poker and so on have been luring our visitors and residents to part with their money for a long time. But the cost, in human terms, should be considered before we enthusiastically rush to promote slots. The most likely persons to sit in front of what used to be called “one armed bandits” are our seniors. And most of them are women. Gamblers Anonymous tells us that nearly 60% of all gambling addiction is slot maching related. The addition of slots gambling in Palm Beach County, and it won’t forever be confined to the PB Kennel Club, believe me, will create misery for too many of our already financially hard strapped seniors.
Comments made by Rifraffe and Virginia are anecdotal and antiqued. The current rules set by Florida state law are clear; slot machines will only be allowed at licensed pari-mutuel locations in Palm Beach County after approval by the voters. Currently, the “seniors” that need protecting are using adult casinos that are unregulated operating in legal loophole. These do not benefit anyone. The ills of society including financial hardship, lost productivity, suicide, family breakdown etc. are over blown. If these problems were severe wouldn’t we address the areas that also cause these problems? Alcohol, drugs use (legal and non legal), smoking, infidelity, working long hours, poor health, mental illness, just to mention a few. If we are protecting people from their own vices we have bigger places to start.
Lastly, yes we want to try and fund schools from the residents and tourists that use our local facilities. Calling one of our biggest economic drivers, tourists, and losers is shameful. What is the alternative, Higher taxes for services that Palm Beach County is clearly addicted to and allergic to cutting. I would rather take the revenue from a new source that is by choice rather than an increase in existing mandatory taxes.
Slots are a no-win for the players and for Palm Beach County. For every $1.00 that a state receives from gambling revenues, it spends $1.90–dealing with the monetary and human costs of gambling: increased crime, bankruptcy, lost productivity on the job, suicide, family breakdown, government regulation costs, addiction, etc. By the way, slots are the most addictive form of gambling. Do we really want to pay the costs of more gambling in Palm Beach County? Do we want to try to finance schools on the backs of losers? Slots should not be legalized in Palm Beach County.
Failing to vote Yes for Slots will only deprive our County of revenues now going to 12 licensed casinos and racinos in nearby Broward and Miami-Dade. Prohibiting gaming is not on the ballot. The State already operates a Lottery and competing independent tribal nations are exempt from regulation and taxation applicable to local family owned businesses like the Palm Beach Kennel Club. If this measure passes, Palm Beach County will also gain a voice in future debates in Tallahassee over gaming issues and how the revenues are spent.
Under current law, 35% of gaming revenues go directly to benefit education. This is in addition to potential payments to county government. The Kennel Club is a benefit to the surrounding neighborhood which is why this initiative enjoys the early and strong support of the Westgate CRA.
Please join numerous community, business, civic, neighborhood groups and leaders who support the slot machines referendum. Go to the last page of your ballot and vote YES for slot machines.
I believe in the right to gamble. If it’s not done legally it will be done illegally, it’s as simple as that and gambling and racing institutions that profit from gambling should work with the states that also profit from it to educate people and provide support services. You cant ban everything that people can become addicted to, people need free will and free choice. Thia is coming from soemone who’s mother blew 40K on slots!