Opinion: Voters make right call on non-Indian casino referendum

On this year's Election Day, citizens of New York state approved Proposal 1 with 57% of the vote, allowing seven casinos to be built within the state. Prior to its passage, only Native American tribes and horse-race tracks could open gaming facilities, besides the state, which sells lottery tickets. Governor Andrew Cuomo and the state legislature plan to place four of the seven new casinos in upstate New York and make the other three emerge in New York City after seven years. The stated goals of the measure are to bolster employment and to provide funds for education and tax relief locally. This is good news for New York, and if the state and local governments handle the roll-out of the change well, both of the goals will be reached.

Strange bedfellows converged to advocate for and against Prop 1. Labor unions such as the AFL-CIO and the United Federation of Teachers joined force with the Business Roundtable to support the amendment's passage. Anti-gambling organizations and socially conservative groups found themselves in agreement with the New York Times editorial board in calling for the proposal's rejection. Opponents cited concerns that casinos would bring more addiction and crime, while not delivering any economic gains. The New York Times editorial was especially scathing: "Gambling is a regressive tax that takes its highest toll on those who can least afford it." While those who hesitate to allow casinos have good intentions, facts and experiences show the likely success of the new casino policy will allay their worries.