As state regulators continue considering bids for a New York City casino, the issue continues attracting controversy in the Empire State. Over the last week the issue touched on religion and youth sports with residents around the city continuing to weigh in with their opinions on a possible casino in their own communities.
That has included parents objecting to how some of the groups bidding for the casino are marketing support including sponsoring soccer summer camps over the last few months. Some parents have objected to a gambling enterprise getting so heavily involved with activities involving minors while also attempting to influence those in the community to support a potential casino.
“In the escalating race to be one of the first to open a casino in the New York City area, developers are rushing to win local support after state regulators said projects needed to be ’embraced by the community,'” the New York Times notes. “A casino logo emblazoned across youth sports jerseys is just one example of the lengths to which gambling operators have gone to woo those communities and secure a coveted license.”
Casino Project Youth Sports Funding Draws Mixed Reviews
Many New York City parents have complained on social media that their children are being used for the casino efforts. For example, athletes at another sports camp this summer wore jerseys that featured the “The Coney” project title. This might be the name for the potential casino on Coney Island.
“Don’t use our kids as pawns in your effort to dump something in our community that a lot of people really don’t want,” Rich Corrao told the Times after attending a Sands event involving youth sports. “It’s not appreciated. It’s not right. They’re not selling bubble gum.”
While the state bars gambling enterprises from advertising to children, sponsoring youth camps may not fall under the same law. State regulators have proposed a rule to ban this type of advertising as well, but that has yet to be approved.
For many parts of the country, casino corporations sponsoring student and children’s initiatives is nothing new. Sands officials noted that the company sponsors similar events in numerous places that it operates including a charter school in Las Vegas. Despite the casino angle, some parents see the addition of dollars for a sports camp or league as a trade-off for funding.
Board Leader’s Religious Comments Draw Criticism
The Coney Island casino bid produced some controversy of a different sort as well recently. Lucy Mujica Diaz, the chair of Brooklyn’s Community Board 13 drew criticism recently for questioning the Muslim faith of some of those who may support the project, according to media reports.
“The board chair included on her (Facebook) page a Wikipedia entry stating the Quran calls ‘games of chance’ a ‘grave sin’ and ‘abominations of Satan’s handiwork'”, the New York Post noted. “She also posted a photo of members of the Afadila Community Services — an advocacy group for Islamic residents and children — who wore blue and white ‘Coney’ shirts paid for by a consortium proposing a casino.”
Some have now called for Diaz to be removed from her post and criticized her for questioning some residents’ religion. Critics have called her comments “totally inappropriate.”
State regulators continue considering proposals for the New York casino, but perhaps that can’t come soon enough for some residents. The issue has drawn various levels of support and opposition depending on the location being considered.
Nebraska Casino Unveils State’s First Table Games
In other casino news, the state of Nebraska took a major step toward additional casino gaming options on Friday. The Grand Island casino in the city of Grand Island officially became the first casino in the state to operate table games.
The move followed a vote by the Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission to allow table games expansion. Casino officials see the move as a major development as the property looks to build a more permanent facility as well.
“We are absolutely excited to bring the first live table games to Nebraska and to our valued Grand Island Casino guests,” said Dan Kehl, CEO of Grand Island’s parent company Elite Casino Resorts. “This expansion to the temporary casino is driven by listening to our guests and our commitment to providing top-notch entertainment experiences. We are also eager to start construction on our permanent facility in October and begin the next phase of this multi-million dollar development in Grand Island.”
Players heading to Grand Island can take a shot at blackjack, craps, and roulette as well as playing slot machines. The property is also unveiling a retail and kiosk sports wagering venue this week named Elite Sportsbook. Additionally, the Snack Bar has transitioned to “Draft Day,” offering an expanded menu selection including appetizers, burgers, pizza and more.
