THE PUBLIC MIND: GAMBLER LOSES, HOUSE WINS

To the Editor:

I am writing regarding the gambling boat issue before the city of Cape. I will be unable to vote as I live a few miles beyond the city limits. I lived in Cape for 12 years before moving to the farm 23 years ago. Cape is still my home town.

In my mind, riverboat gambling is wrong for my community. My values do not keep me from drinking at social events when drinks are offered and I buy an occasional lottery ticket when the pot is big and I am buying gas where lottery tickets are sold. I drink because I like a drink and I buy lottery tickets because I like the feeling that I have a chance to be rich. These activities do not rule my life, but I enjoy them enough to understand their compulsive nature. We encourage each other to avoid overeating, smoking, drink in moderation, monitor for early signs of cancer, heart disease and on and on. Why would we encourage gambling which may be tragic to a compusive disordered person, his or her families and friends?

After the first vote, I thought the Boyd group and other gambling companies would fade away. I see they are still here offering to spend millions of dollars on permanent facilities. It would seem foolish to splend big money knowing new petitions could bring a new vote leaving their investment worthless. They are not stupid. If we give them the chance, I feel they figure they can negotiate with the city for a simple dock until major facilities could be designed, approved, etc. If the gambling business did not work out in Cape, they could move on with no loss.

I am not worried about their moving on without any loss. I am worried that the situation may turn to where Cape would be in competition with other cities, causing the city to be in a position of having to build facilies and offer concessions or guarantees to the gambling companies.

No one knows what turn the future may take but we know in the end, the gambler loses and the gambling house wins.

CHARLES R. BALDWIN

Rt. 2 Cape Girardeau