Courtesy of: http://www.courier-journal.com
A casino will float ultimately across from downtown Louisville.
Why? If leasing out the Indiana Toll Road beats taxation, so does winning every cent that people are game to lose.
Caesars Indiana's snag is staggering, revenue in the neighborhood of $1 million per day. Its success only suggests, though, the potential of a boat anchored in the middle of the metro area.
After all, Indiana is in the casino business primarily to exploit its proximity to Chicago, Cincinnati and Louisville. Otherwise, dice would be rolling in Columbus or Kokomo or Fort Wayne.
Indiana's strategy remains cynical, at least not neighborly. Sure, paychecks are blown and addictions enabled – just not only those of Hoosiers.
Clark County's likely Nov. 7 referendum on whether to support gambling offers conservatives the chance to again show their contempt of it. The anti-boat side secured initial momentum by bringing the issue back to the ballot. Democrats are outraged at this backhanded boost to turnout. Yet Democrats, to their credit, typically ballyhoo broad participation. The more the merrier on Election Day must always apply.
Besides, the referendum also will attract those envious of the better roads, better schools, better most everything that Harrison County affords by having welcomed Caesars. Clark and Floyd counties twice rejected a floating casino, the only reason Harrison plays host. In the 1990s, though, voters could but guess the consequences of their choice.
It seems clearer now what a casino brings and what it takes. Harrison County plays guinea pig without apparent buyer's remorse. If it had to reaffirm its support, it probably would.
Like I imagine Caesars would be allowed first shot to set up a branch-like boat in Clark County. This way, the state may not necessarily need to grant an extra license -- a potential sticking point. With different features and tailored marketing, the Caesars sites would prove more complementary than cannibalistic.
Still, Caesars is not about to lead the pro-boat charge in Clark. Way too many ifs. It is tough to predict who will wage that fight, who in local government has the backbone to share the campaign stage with impassioned opponents.
Elected leaders fuss routinely about being short of cash. Schools could use revenue, too, same with human services and police. Rural roads are little match for suburban development. Here's relief, pennies from heaven like tax-phobic Indiana encourages.
Here's the third chance.
The model is now just as obvious as is the incentive. Just point to Harrison's relative fortune and remind that one can be Clark's. I twice voted no to gambling, skeptical how well Clark could stay on top of the effects of a casino. We in the majority wait again to be convinced otherwise.
Please, someone try. Let a debate begin. Even if a boat is inevitable, we want to want it.
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