Opinion

Why turn Arlington into land casino?

Posted January 21, 2008 10:00 pm

Why should Arlington Heights become a casino town in order to subsidize Arlington Park Racetrack?

What other local business would expect such a bailout? Arlington Park president Roy Arnold says he is not making threats when he says that the racetrack will not survive without slot machines, but how else can you describe his statement in Saturday's Daily Herald?

Proposed legislation in Springfield calls for 1,100 slot machines at Arlington Park. This is the approximate number of slot machines at each of the existing casinos in Illinois.

Arlington Park would become a land-based casino with occasional horse racing during the warmer months.

The presence of a casino in our community would bring the negative effects of gambling to our homes and businesses. These effects are: Addiction, bankruptcy, crime and corruption.

If you oppose a casino at Arlington Park Racetrack, come to the Arlington Heights Village Board meeting at 8 p.m. today at the Senior Center, 1801 W. Central Road.

Tell racetrack officials how local residents feel about slot machines at Arlington Park.

Nancy Duel

Arlington Heights

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