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APRIL’S PURPLE COWBOYPush For Casino Gambling The Rest of the StoryBy Trish Smith JenningsI entered a dessert contest. My pecan pralines were chosen. The committee called to tell me. I was so thrilled I was frozen.There were twelve people who were picked.We assembled on the park grounds. We had scrumptious dessert dishes. All waited to see who the judge crowns.I hoped that I would win first prize. Who doesn’t love praline candy? There was this man dressed in purple. I think his wild look came in handy.He won the prize for best dessert. I really can’t figure out why. Who would ever eat that dessert? I lost and I wanted to cry.His dessert was very different. With various fruits and mayonnaise. It sounded terrible to me. HewonandIwasinadaze.He’s dressed head to toe in purple. He was the hit of the contest. He was the bright purple cowboy.The Eyes of Texans, Part 2He was dressed in his cowboy best.Fruit and mayo don’t sound tasty. But the judge liked his dish the best. When i went to get my pralinesI looked down and I grabbed my chest.All of my candy was eaten.The other desserts were still there.I wondered why my treats were gone. There was not one praline to spare.I may not have won the contest, But the audience vote came in. They ate up all of my candy.My treats were a crowd-pleasing win.My picture was in the paper For having a picked recipe, But it was the purple cowboy Who accepted first prize with glee.BTy Lou Dugganexas citizens and legislators arebeing pressured by efforts topromote and legalize gambling casinos in the state. Television ads and lobbyists are promoting a call for a vote on a constitutional amendment to allow Texans to develop “destination resorts” in major Texas cities.These efforts are part of a campaign by the Texas Destination Resort Alliance (TDRA), a political action committee backed by Las Vegas Sands (LVS).Some rumors allege a Chinese connection to this effort. However, the Las Vegas Sands Corp. is an American casino and resort company headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. The company owns several properties in Asia, and it holds a significant stake in Sands China, but it is not owned by a Chinese company. Instead, Sands China is a majority-owned subsidiary of Las Vegas Sands Corp.The Rest of the StoryThe goal of TDRA’s ads is to build publicsupport and soften the political ground for expanded gaming in Texas. TDRA argues that Texas is losing significant revenue to neighboring states where gambling is legal, and that allowing casinos could generate funds for public services, create jobs, and boost tourism.What the TDRA ads do not tell the public: Research indicates that there is a significant correlation between the presence of casinos and increased crime rates in surrounding communities. An on-going study by Grinols and Mustard found that approximately 8% of crime in casino counties was attributable to casinos. The study suggests that the effect on crime is low shortly after a casino opens but grows over time. Casino gambling often leads to criminal activities such as theft, fraud, and domestic violence. Research also suggests, on a national basis, casino gambling generates external costs for society in the range of $40 billion annually, and crime is one of the biggest components of these social costs.The impact of casinos on the local standard of living is complex and multifaceted. While casinos can create local jobs and generate tax revenue, these benefits are often offset by the negativesocial and economic consequences. Most jobs created by casinos are part-time and low skill, which does not significantly improve the standard of living for low- income households. Additionally, increased accessibility and availability of casinos can lead to higher rates of gambling disorders, which are costly to society and can negatively affect the overall well-being of a community.There is a notable correlation between gambling and poverty. Studies have shown that people living in poor neighborhoods are more likely to gamble, often in hopes of improving their financial situation. Unfortunately, this often leads to worsening financial conditions as individuals lose money they cannot afford to lose. The prevalence of gambling problems is higher in low socio-economic neighborhoods, perpetuating the cycle of poverty. Thus, financial strain caused by gambling can lead to reduced educational opportunities, compromised healthcare, and limited access to essential resources.Gambling addiction can have severe financial consequences for families. Problem gamblers often accumulate significant debt, borrow money from family members, or misuse joint accounts to fund their gambling habits. This financial instability can lead to foreclosure, homelessness, or even bankruptcy for the entire family. The strain of gambling-related debt can also lead to a breakdown in trust and security within the household, further exacerbating the emotional and psychological impact on family members.In summary, while casinos can bring some economic benefits to a community, such as job creation and tax revenue, these are often outweighed by the negative social and economic impacts. Increased crime rates, family debt, perpetuation of poverty, and a limited improvement in the standard of living are significant concerns associated with the presence of casinos.The Texas Constitution prohibits the expansion of gambling, requiring a two-thirds vote in both chambers of the legislature and a public vote to amend the constitution.I offer personalized guidance and strategic insightto help you sell or purchase:•Luxury Homes•Farm & Ranch•Raw Land•City Lots•Investment PropertiesYour visionis my mission20+ Years of Experience Assisting Families&InvestorsServing San Antonio & The Texas Hill CountryAna Maria Fletcher ~ Broker & Owner Habla Español / Veteran / in“I Serve God, Family, & My Clients.”(210) 954-3362 I iamhometx.com8www.bsbhighlights.comApril 2025