Texas gambling: Increased tax revenues needed
February 1, 2009
We believe Texas, which already has a lottery, should legalize slot machines at horse tracks, as does nearby New Mexico, where Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino is only five minutes from Downtown El Paso. And we believe our state's Indian casinos, including El Paso's Speaking Rock, should be allowed to reopen.
Written by Editorial, The El Paso Times
Texas is among more than a dozen states where legislators are contemplating proposals to legalize or expand slot machines or casinos.
When economies go sour, states find it more difficult to raise money. An answer has been to legalize gambling, then tax it heavily.
There's some sort of gambling in 48 states. Exceptions are Hawaii and Utah, and Hawaii lawmakers are considering a change.
We believe Texas, which already has a lottery, should legalize slot machines at horse tracks, as does nearby New Mexico, where Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino is only five minutes from Downtown El Paso. And we believe our state's Indian casinos, including El Paso's Speaking Rock, should be allowed to reopen.
Prior to being ordered closed in 2002, Speaking Rock had revenues of $60 million a year. It accounted for some 800 jobs.
It was an economic blessing for the Lower Valley, which should be a major tourist attraction; it's the heart of our historic Mission Trail.
According to the Associated Press, the U.S. gaming industry is a $54 billion-a-year business employing some 350,000.
In the 2007 legislative session in Austin, the gaming issue failed to get out of the House by one vote. Led by state Rep. Norma Chávez, D-El Paso, and backed by our entire state delegation, the issue is expected to pass the House this year.
The sticking point will be in the Senate. Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst opposes gambling. It will be up to our senator, Eliot Shapleigh, and others, to push through this bill. El Paso is counting heavily on Shapleigh's success.
It's understood there are those who oppose gambling. Some say that money spent in casinos is money not spent elsewhere. Some cite moral reasons.
But using Speaking Rock Casino and Sunland as examples, gambling has had positive effects in El Paso.
The Lower Valley had more vibrancy when Speaking Rock was in operation. Now many thousands of El Paso dollars go to New Mexico via taxation at Sunland's operation.
It's time Texas takes advantage of the tax revenues possible through slots at horse tracks and gaming at Indian casinos.
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