Since we’ve decided to balance our state budget on the backs of old age pensioners that need to carry oxygen bottles everywhere they scooter, and since I play poker (badly) and will no doubt find myself losing money in Harrington, Dover and Delaware Park sooner or later I’m going to take the gambling beat here at DL.
I don’t play slot machines (for the same reason that I don’t throw twenties out of my car window) so I have never really gambled in Delaware. That means my observations will be pristine and unbiased. Think of me like a modern day Alexis de Tocqueville. For example, without even having stepped for in a Delaware casino (I can’t bring myself to use the industry lingo and say “Racino”) I can offer two great suggestions that will make our new cash cow even cash cow-ier.
1) Allow Delawareans to deduct 50% of in state gambling losses from their state income taxes. This tax incentive will keep Delaware’s octogenarian scooter gangs in Delaware and since a big portion of those losses will go directly to the division of revenue anyway, it is just a fun, alternative way to pay taxes. (Delaware rakes in about 50% right? Help me out internets) BTW – the other 50% gaming revenue mostly ends up in the bank account of Michelle Rollins, but that is for another post.
2) There should be one room in Delaware that requires patrons to wear tuxedos and evening dresses. To be cool, paying your taxes through the croupier should be much more James Bond and much less James, the guy who made my sub at Wawa. People love dressing up for shit. The dress code room does not need to have higher buy ins or betting minimums, it just needs to give patrons the impression that they are 1890’s robber barons. What is casino gambling if not fantasy role playing? It is a no brainer.
In other Delaware Gaming News:
DE Table games already driving down room rates in Atlantic Shitty.
UPDATE: Okay. It isn’t 50%. Delaware appears to keep a a measly 3.5% from each bet.