Hawaii lucky to be free from gambling

From the New York Times:

Consider: Nevada, with its scores of casinos, took in tax revenue of about $1 billion last year. But Connecticut’s State Treasury took in $718 million from the lottery and just two Indian casinos.

konapaddler wrote:

Let Hawaiians run gambling on Kahoolawae and run the super ferry over there-

If allowed to follow the example of the Mashantucket and Mohegan tribes in Connecticut, both the Hawaiian Nation and the State of Hawaii could be enriched by well made casinos.

In the 1970's, the Mashantucket Nation in Connecticut had been whittled down to less than an acre of land and a few dozen tribal members scattered in all directions. Yet thanks to a small number of determined people, the Mashantuckets eventually won federal recognition and a small amount of extra tribal land. In the 1990's, with the help of a brilliant Malaysian investor, they built the biggest casino in the world. Taking the cue from their neighbors, the Mohegan tribe found their own talented investors, and soon afterwards built the second largest casino in the world.

These casinos hand over billions of dollars in revenue to the state of Connecticut every year. People from all over the world cruise down highly protected and greatly improved state highways to the casinos luxury hotels, shops, restaurants, theaters and museums. The construction industry
continues to boom. Towns for miles around have been revitalized and employment of all kinds has soared. Jobs, health care, scholarships and homes are provided for tribal members.

Using Foxwoods and Sun as models, such casinos could revitalize Hawaii's economy. Gambling is great fun, and most gamblers know their limits. Addiction of any kind is hurtful. But if we are sincere about curbing addiction, let's ban alcohol and cigarettes. They actually kill people.

Lucky I live in cali cause all i have to do is drive to the nearest indian casion or vegas to feed my addiction and go down the road to loserville...this editorial was the best one yet, keep up the good work guys.

I an not a Vegas regular but I do enjoy going there when I get a chance. It would be the worst things that could happen to Hawaii.

We have a lottery in our state that supports education. The only problem is that the state reduces the amount it gives the schools by the same amount that the lottery brings in. The end result is the state and not the education system get the money.

Gambling on Hawaii should be voted on by the people, just like the proposed rail system! Oh wait, the mayor tell the people of Hawaii he knows best for them!!!

"A study at the University of Alabama has found that gambling triggers a chemical reaction similar to cocaine, according to high-tech imaging that looks inside the brain."

I'd like a study to see what chemical reaction is triggered in the brain by the outrageous cost of rent, groceries, gas and everything else in third-world Hawaii. Maybe it would be the kind of chemical reaction that makes you want to create a chemical reaction with some cocaine.

CommonSense wrote:

"A study at the University of Alabama has found that gambling triggers a chemical reaction similar to cocaine, according to high-tech imaging that looks inside the brain."
I'd like a study to see what chemical reaction is triggered in the brain by the outrageous cost of rent, groceries, gas and everything else in third-world Hawaii. Maybe it would be the kind of chemical reaction that makes you want to create a chemical reaction with some cocaine.

Obviously is addicting that why they have gamblers anonymous. The addicts will do anything to get it too.

Only the state of Nevada is lucky that Hawaii is free from gambling.

Why should gambling revenue benefit the state of Hawaii? Let it go to the state of Nevada instead, and improve THEIR infrastructure and economy, instead of Hawaii's.

After all, it's all about keeping Hawaii free from gambling. Right?

Makes perfect sense to me.(NOT)

Vegas is paying off politicians to keep gambling out of Hawaii.

Hawaii would crush Vegas and they know it. We're the biggest nightmare scenario for Vegas.

Imagine having casinos lining Kalakaua and Kuhio Avenue. Right next to the most beautiful beach in the world.

Who would want to go to the cold or stupidly hot desert? We would crush Vegas in 5 years. And the economic boom that would be set off would last
for at least 30 years.

How ironic that Hawaii does not have gambling especially not being passsed by the state governor or legislature but yet have you noticed the huge California Casino signs in the Stan Sheriff center and the Aloha Stadium...I'm sure that the advertisement isn't free..Sure looks like gambling money coming in for that advertisement! How you figa dat one out state legislature?

In gambling the probabilities usually figure on the house/sponsor winning. Declining tourism numbers show with decline from gaming revenue. More loss is affordable?

Oh that’s right you have a “train to nowhere” and “buy that” political environment. I sure wouldn’t give it odds.

The title says it all, must be running out of things to write about.
How about the growing problems that exists currently, like the growing homeless all over this island, for starters?

Gambling has always been on the islands, be it chicken fights, pipito and 6-5 sports gambling. Ever wonder why there is a big crowd for the live football games?

Get real, give us a fresh insight into something we don't already know.

Pols can and often times skewed by polsters. Put gambling vote on ballot. Make it a YES or NO question. (K.I.S.S.). The lobbyist from other gambling destinations will be out in force to prevent Hawaii form legalized gambling.

OutThere wrote:

I disagree. Legalized Murder has the best potential of solving the Sovereignty issue, traffic problems, overcrowded prisons, and a bad teacher to student ratio in schools. Pedestrian safety wouldn't be an issue because everyone would know that stepping into the street (or sidewalk, or parking lot, or your own front yard) would mean that it was open season on your butt.

LOL. You bet your ****, OUTTHERE!

The ultimate vacation experience would have to be Monaco, the little principality tucked away on the French Riviera: and its capital, Monte Carlo, where four casino selections await you. The playground for the rich and famous, as well as the rest of us. This two-square kilometer country is a tax haven for its fewer than 5,000 residents-total population 29,000. Monaco is divided by the harbor facing the blue Mediterranean-the two areas being Monaco Ville, also know as the Rock, the old medieval city housing Prince Rainier’s palace: and our targeted destination of Monte Carlo Casino, Monte-Carlo Grand Hotel/Casino, Monte-Carlo Sporting Club & Casino, with a glittering entertainment complex, which is approximately a 20 minute walk, and Café Paris. Opening hours are posted, however, closing times are not, as casinos will remain open as long as gamblers would like to play.

The Casino de Monte Carlo is located in the heart of Monte Carlo. It was built in 1863 in “royal” style period decorations. As you enter the casino, take note of the Bohemian glass chandeliers, rococo ceilings, lots of marble, gold fixtures, with tables of the finest wood and intricate design. The “Belle Époque” architecture was popular during the reign of Napoleon III. As you enter into the Atrium you’ll notice it’s 28 Ionic columns, across the Renaissance Hall to the main gambling hall, which is divided into two rooms, or salles. The American Room opens at 10 a.m. offering slots, while the European Room opens at noon for American and European versions of roulette, baccarat, chemin-de-fer and 30-40. Rose Hall is a lively room set aside for video poker players. Prive Salons (private salons) featuring baccarat and chemin-de-fer open at 3 p.m. Prive Salons for high rollers do not until 9 p.m., and the Salon Super Prive is by appointment only.

Sooooooooooooo, Vegas is not the only place to gamble.......In fact, Macau (China)has recently overtaken Las Vegas as the world’s top gambling destination with Macau’s 23 casinos generating £301.8m in revenue in September 2006,£10.4m more than Las Vegas’s 30 casinos according to leisure industry consultants Globalanalysis.

Macau is currently the only part of China to allow gambling and tourists have flocked there, with 10.5 million arriving from China alone in 2005.

The first casino, Casino Lisboa, opened in 1970, and Macau is now set for a total makeover with five more mega resorts opening up in the next 12 months alone. In 2002 the government ended the 40 year gambling industry monopoly of Stanley Ho and granted licences to other groups, including foreign casino operators.

The Sands resort was the first international casino to open in 2004 and claims to be home to the world’s largest casino. The Wynn Macau opened in September 2006 and StarWorld, which cost HK$2.95 billion to build, opened in October 2006. The Crown Macau is scheduled for opening in April 2007, the Venetian and the Ponte 16 for second quarter 2007, the MGM Grand Macau in the second half of 2007 and the Grand Lisboa in December 2007.

Las Vegas’s revenues come mainly from its 55,000 slot machines compared to Macau’s 5,200. Gamblers in Macau prefer the gaming tables and play for higher stakes with Macau’s gamblers betting £47 for every £5 wagered in Las Vegas.

Macau is also trying to target the other side of revenue that Las Vegas thrives on where gaming accounts for only 41 per cent of visitors’ spending. Macau is building to establish itself with luxury hotels and resorts as well as conference facilities.

Source: The Independent, 5 November 2006; BBC News website, 25 October 2006; SCMP, 16 September 2006.

SumFigahs wrote:

From the New York Times:
Consider: Nevada, with its scores of casinos, took in tax revenue of about $1 billion last year. But Connecticut’s State Treasury took in $718 million from the lottery and just two Indian casinos.

Why go to Vegas when you can visit the indian casinos here in California? get tons gambling here too! Hawaiian Gardens, Bicycle Club, Hustler in Gardena, but no slots until you on the Indian reservation land...but still yet get all kines gambling....especially now with expensive gas/fuel/airline costs...Yeah Gambling on superferry or something...

Several years ago somebody wanted to build a resort/casino in Ko'olina similar to the Atlantis in the Bahamas. Of course shocked citizens rallied against it.

So now there are time shares, lagoons and snack bars with seven dollar half orders of french fries.

Atlantis is a gorgeous, fabulous place. Imagine the number of customers that would be going to one here and paying taxes to the state. If that place was full, the Boat could shuttle gamblers from Waikiki there and back and the casion would probably install something similar to a monorail.

But, lucky us, we have the hideously planned second city and a future of higher taxes and living expenses.

OutThere wrote:

Some have argued that gambling is illegal in Hawaii, but it happens anyway; therefore we should just legalize it.
Murder is illegal in Hawaii, but it happens anyway. Let's legalize that.
I know some people would argue that gambling has a potential to generate good income for the state, while murder is detrimental to society. I disagree. Legalized Murder has the best potential of solving the Sovereignty issue, traffic problems, overcrowded prisons, and a bad teacher to student ratio in schools. Pedestrian safety wouldn't be an issue because everyone would know that stepping into the street (or sidewalk, or parking lot, or your own front yard) would mean that it was open season on your butt.

I only suspected you were an idiot until you opened your mouth and confirmed it.

Happen all over the place...they gamble there.......Hidden casinos.....they gamble there.

Happen all over the place...they gamble there.......Hidden casinos.....they gamble there.

But, of course, since it is illegal no problems. No thefts, assaults, murders, drugs, payoffs, loan sharking etc etc etc