letter to the editor published in St Louis Post Dispatch, Nov. 24, 2010
On whose side?
Casinos don't manufacture anything except a dream of winning. They are designed to profit off the vice of others under the guise of entertainment. Winning is temporary. And, just like a regular gambler, city and state governments have had a taste of the casino profits — and they want more.
How we can trust a government that partners with casino developers while saying it will regulate casinos and represent the best interests of the citizens?
Residents of St. Louis' 2nd Ward are being told that it is all about jobs and that it is in our best interests that a new casino be built at the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge within an area of rare riverfront parkland. Never do they warn us about the downside of casinos.
Another casino does not bring in new money; it bleeds money from our local economy. Every dollar gambled is a dollar not spent at a local store or restaurant or used to pay bills. Area businesses suffer. This area of north St. Louis already is seeing many foreclosures and pervasive unemployment.
Gambling pushes select groups of people deeper in debt and increases poverty. It would be naïve to believe that gambling promoters are unaware of the source of much of their income.
Casinos get the profits, but our community pays the costs. Whose side is City Hall on?
Chris Ballew • St. Louis
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