Casinos Potential Boost to Devastated Galveston Area
The entire island of Galveston was devastated by Hurricane Ike. Now, some city planners think bringing casinos to the area may be the best stimulus to help speed economic recovery.
An association of local merchants based in the historic downtown area of Galveston has sent a letter to the mayor and city council urging them to pursue casinos and legalized gaming as a solution to the town's misfortune.
The downtown area, known as the Strand, is lined with buildings dating back over one hundred years. Much of the Strand suffered storm surge from Ike as high as twelve feel, gutting shops, restaurants, and businesses.
The president of the Strand Merchants Association, Allen Flores, wrote in the letter, "Casino gambling would provide jobs, middle-income housing needs, increased tax base and a plan for beach restoration funding."
Flores asserted that, while Texas has laws against gambling, they do not prevent video slots from being operated in game rooms throughout the state. While there is supposedly no payoff on these machines, most people know better.
While some local politicians reject the idea of gambling, citing the worn arguments about protecting the children and considering unproven social costs, the people of Galveston are waiting to hear a better idea about getting them back on their feet. So far, that idea hasn't materialized.
