2/10 - Racino About Competition
10 February 2012
By: Racino Now Staff
A recent opinion piece submitted to the Forest Lake Times by Rep. Mark Buesgens (R-Jordan) dispells some of the myths about Racino legislation. Namely, "Opponents of gaming competition sometimes work so hard to find a reason to oppose Racinos that they lose track of their fundamental beliefs. More than 70 percent of Minnesotans support Racinos because they would add more competition to a gaming industry in which there is not currently real competition. "
Additionally, Rep. Buesgens goes on to state, "Racino supporters don’t believe that tribal casinos should be taxed — that horse is out of the barn. But they also shouldn’t receive monopoly protection for their tax-free operations. Since the state-tribal compacts don’t prohibit competition, and the Minnesota Constitution allows state-owned lottery games, there is little reason for the Legislature to continue the self-imposed prohibition on video lottery terminals at horse tracks. Minnesota should join the 14 other states that allow Racinos, and create the jobs that come with those Racinos in the construction, hospitality and agricultural industries."
