Two years ago, Oregon voters said no to nontribal casinos, and they should do so again by rejecting Measures 82 and 83 this November.
Measure 82 would amend the Oregon Constitution, removing its prohibition of nontribal casinos and allowing voters to approve them by separate vote. Measure 83 would let local voters approve placing one – currently called The Grange – on an old dog-track property in Wood Village, east of Portland.
Proponents claim the casino would be part of a larger, family-friendly entertainment center that would bring thousands of jobs and millions of dollars for schools and other public projects.
Despite other objections to more gambling, Oregonians might be tempted if assured that millions of dollars would flow to schools. But that’s not even close to a sure thing.
An analysis by the Legislative Revenue Office shows proponents’ claims are suspect. The analysis was reviewed for Willamette Week by University of Oregon economics professor Tim Duy. The conclusion: The casino would likely cost state and local governments, not help them, and might actually shrink the Oregon economy.
Even if the truth falls somewhere between the extremes of these conflicting assessments, there are plenty of other reasons to say no.
-Oregon already has legal gambling through the lottery and nine tribal casinos, whose proceeds directly benefit Oregonians. In fact, the lottery is the state’s second-largest revenue source after the income tax. At least some – possibly a large portion – of the new casino’s business would draw away from those existing options.
-More than 70,000 Oregonians have problems with gambling, according to experts cited by the Citizens’ Initiative Review, and more casinos can only exacerbate their problems.
-Job gains at the new casino could be offset by losses to tribal casinos and businesses that benefit from lottery business.
Developers and investors might benefit from a nontribal casino in Oregon, but citizens and taxpayers likely would not. Voters should firmly reject both Measure 82 and Measure 83.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.
