In my opinion…March 7, 2008
It is with great interest and curiosity what I am reading and hearing about
the prospect of expanded gambling in Kentucky.
Some of you are concerned about what expanded gambling will do to the horse
industry in Kentucky. Some are concerned that expanded gambling will hurt the
horse industry if expanded gambling is not allowed at the tracks. I'm concerned
that expanded gambling will hurt my business if I am not allowed to put a slot
machine in my conference room. If expanded gambling will be great for the horse
industry just think what it could do for my business. Let's also allow my
doctor to place a machine or two in the waiting room. What a great way to pass
the time away and perhaps keep health care cost lower. After all, that is
another legislative goal, isn't it?
Several years ago I attended a business conference in New Orleans, Louisiana.
The organizers gave each of us a roll of quarters, loaded us on a bus and took
us to the casino. I noticed most of the people at the slot machines were very
poor people. They would feed coin after coin into those slots and hardly ever
receive coins in return. Most all of them left with less than what they entered
with. I'm proud to say that I was one of the very few that left with my entire
roll of quarters intact!
You know my grandfather did not have even a high school education, but he was a
wise man. When I was a kid he told me, "Kevin, why feed the horses when they
won't even let you pet the horses?" Let's not hand the horses feed if we're
not going to open it up for every industry.
