Editorial: Gambing hurts social fabric of Oklahoma

Thursday, November 19, 2009  

"Under Gov. Brad Henry, here’s what passes for economic development. The Kaw Nation is about to build a new casino in Braman, Okla., just north of Blackwell, very close to the Kansas border.

The tribe has 21 acres on Interstate 35 at the intersection of U.S. 177, five miles south of the Kansas state line. They want to build a 36,000-square-foot (about the size of a small Wal-Mart) casino and hire 200-250 employees. Kay County has already said yes, as has the mayor of Braman and neighboring Indian tribes. I can’t imagine any of them objecting to this “economic development.”

Gambling is hurting the social fabric of Oklahoma. In Tulsa County, probate filings are down about 150 from 2008. That probably because the net worth of some Oklahomans is dwindling due to gambling losses.

And the gambling “windfall” for public education is way short of predictions.

You reap what you sow. Oklahoma better hope for a “crop failure” when it comes to gambling."

Get the Story:
Editorial: More casinos thanks to Henry [second item] (The Tulsa Beacon 11/19)