Fate of Casino Hangs in Balance in Iowa
Posted on September 23, 2008 - Filed Under Casino Articles, Casino games, Casino tournaments, Gambling News
The final decision as to whether a casino will open at Iowa’s northwestern part or not will be decided today by voting. The proposed casino is supposed to open near Larchwood, which will have a winner and a looser at the same time.
The competition is between Citizens for Economic Growth in Lyon County and Lyon County Citizens for Casino Truth, whereby the later is against the opening of a casino there. The proposed casino is a $90 million resort and casino.
Both Economic Growth in Lyon County and Lyon County Citizens for Casino Truth have taken up efforts to make a door to door campaigning so that the people come forward to vote in their favor.
The public relations director at Riverside Casino and Golf Resort, Sharon Haselhoff said that gambling has already been legalized in Iowa. The vote will take place regarding the construction of the casino. The opponents are concerned about the economic effects of casino on the community.
On the other hand, the supporters have said that the opening of this casino will create job opportunities. They have also said that the casino will have a resort that will provide funds for the development of the community. There will be a hotel and an event center which will help in generating money.
About $1.5 million of funds has been estimated to be distributed in the community. If the gambling referendum of Lyon County passes, the license will be collectively owned by the local Lyon County Riverboat Foundation Board and the Kehl Management.
The proposed casino will have an 18-hole golf course, 100 room hotel, 24 gaming tables, as well as 800 slot machines. Gene Ver Steeg, who is the chair of Lyon County Citizens for Casino Truth, said that he is mainly concerned about the big price that the families have to pay who becomes a victim of people addicted to gambling.
Haselhoff has however said that only a few percent of the people have an addiction to gambling but a major portion loves playing it and is not addicted. They aim to build this casino for the latter section of the population. People of Iowa are just eagerly waiting for the decision now.
