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Updated: 3:06 PM Jan 31, 2012
Two Panhandle Counties Vote on Slots Tuesday
Tuesday’s slot machine votes in Gadsden and Washington County may be the best chance gambling supporters have ever had here in the panhandle. They're promising more jobs and prosperity, but opponents have their doubts.
Posted: 9:55 PM Jan 30, 2012Reporter: Erica Rakow Email Address: erica.rakow@wjhg.com Slot Machine Election Day');">  |
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3 Comments 
No one's arguing Washington County's need for more jobs. Although the county's December unemployment rate was down more than 2% from the year before, it's still in double digits at 10.4%. Ebro Greyhound Park Owners are promising a yes vote on the slots referendum will mean the creation of up to 1,500 new jobs.
"Once we've received our license for slot machines, we will begin our first phase which will immediately employ 400 to 500 jobs. And after each phase is finished, we'll end up with 1500 direct jobs,” said Assistant Manager at Ebro Greyhound Park, Mark Hess.
Ebro's owners plan to build a $300 million dollar resort and entertainment complex, that will feature two-thousand slot machines as the centerpiece. In an effort to draw more support, they're promising to share revenue with three local government bodies.
"We signed letters of intent with the Washington County school board, Washington County and the city of Ebro. Those identify that we pay two to three percent of the gross slot revenue. That's estimated to be two-million dollars annually," said Hess.
But opponents say no amount of money or jobs will outweigh the negative consequences of expanded gambling.
"Everywhere slot machines have gone in, there's been addiction to electronic slots. That addiction brings crime the same way methamphetamine has which we already have enough of a problem with. Bringing another addiction will do nothing for Washington County," said Tim Lanham, a local pastor and opponent to the slots.
Even if voters approve the referendum, the issue is most likely headed to court. Attorney General Pam Bondi says the state has no authority to issue slot licenses to Ebro or Gretna. And at least one source is reporting Department of Business and Professional Regulation Secretary, Ken Lawson, plans to follow Bondi's advice and deny slots licenses.
"If we vote it down, that certainly says a lot to the legislature that the folks don't want this and if it does get voted in, then perhaps the legislature sees this is something the folks are willing for," said Lanham.
Tuesday’s Washington and Gadsden County slots referendums are open to all of the registered voters in those two counties.
Latest Comments
I see no difference in slot machines and bingo halls. There is more people playing bingo on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. How come all the religious people not trying to stop the bingo halls? We need jobs in this area very badly. I'm glad the voters passed it.
You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink.A lot goes on but some people will leave it alone. They will raise their families and have money, a job, a good life. Other people will look at them and say they got money, they got things. The same could be said for them if they'd leave Money grabbing addictions alone. It doesn't matter whats out there some people will have a dollar but will spend it trying to get more, so they can spend that to get even more, and on and on it goes. But then theres some people that will make a dollar, keep it, then work make more money, keep that, then later they are talked about and robbed from because they are considered to be rich and can afford to lose a dollar here and there. Same could be said for the one doing the stealing if he hadn't have been so addiction prone.
"Everywhere slot machines have gone in, there's been addiction to electronic slots. Bringing another addiction will do nothing for Washington County" said Tim Lanham, a local pastor. Just after local and state Govt, why do the local religious groups feel like they should choose for us, how to run our lives? It seems as if they all want to impose their moral fabric on everyone of us. Not everyone is cut from the same cloth Tim. But that does not make all of us addicts and criminals. The way i see it, having a gaming facility with slots is like going into a convienience store. The store sells products that can be addictive too, lotto, alcohol, cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, some even choose to sell synthetic drugs, but NOT EVERYONE will choose to purchase & use those products. Im sure there will be many Washington county residents who will never set foot into the new facility to play the slots. A lot of them are looking for the jobs they will bring though.
