http://www.dailymail.com/story/Opinion/2007080920/David-Corcoran-Legalized-
gambling-does-relieve-poverty/

David Corcoran: Legalized gambling does relieve poverty

WHENEVER talk of legalizing gambling in West Virginia comes up, a deafening
silence initially occurs and a spate of negative comments follow.

Kanawha County voters are being asked in a referendum this Saturday to
legalize table games at Tri-State Racetrack and Gaming Center in Cross
Lanes.

Opponents argue that expansion of this industry will attract undesirable
underworld elements, increase crime, hurt taxpayers more by upping law
enforcement costs, is immoral, and will do nothing to bolster the hosting
community.

I can't see these dire and negative outcomes after witnessing what the
gaming industries have done and are doing for people in both New Mexico and
Wisconsin.

Some 20 years ago when visiting my brother and his family in New Mexico's
native American country, I saw much poverty on the reservations:
dilapidated housing, a lack of community and senior services, little
promotion of local tourist landmarks, and, in general, a downtrodden and
aimless Indian population.

They greeted us with 19th century attitudes of "We hate you" and "You're
not welcome here."

But time and progress change all things. About 10 years ago, the Acoma and
Laguna tribes built casinos containing the full range of table games and
slot machines on their reservations. This economic development strategy has
made a dramatic impact.

In July, traveling through those areas, I couldn't help but notice that the
houses were now being kept in good repair and painted, several new housing
developments had been added, new town and community centers were in
evidence, a state-of-the-art museum had been constructed, infrastructure
enhancements shone, and the people had jobs and money in their pockets.

These once economically depressed peoples were now prospering due to the
establishment of money-generating casinos.

Most significantly and in a dramatic, full circle change-around from two
decades ago, the Native Americans I came into contact with were now very
respectful and considerate of us non-Indian tourists, welcoming us with
open arms not only to the casinos, but also to their museums, landmarks,
pueblos, and, yes, even into their churches.

I saw the same type of progress among the Native Americans in Wisconsin
over the same time span.

With areas of Kanawha County and West Virginia suffering from poverty,
joblessness, and hopelessness similar to what I once saw in New Mexico and
Wisconsin years ago, it's surprising that some West Virginians aren't more
open-minded to the benefits the gaming industry can bring to economically
struggling regions.

And contrary to the gaming industry's opponents, on these native American
reservations, there's no evidence that the purported vices attached to
casinos and gambling actually exist.

The outcome of Saturday's referendum is not just a Kanawha County issue,
but also one that will influence the economic prospects for the entire
state for years to come.

Corcoran is publisher-editor of the Glenville Democrat and Pathfinder.