Two More Casinos
That is going to be the proposal from Rep. Pete Schwartzkopf in an amendment to House Bill 194 that he is filing today for debate on Thursday. This is the entirety of the Press Release from the Delaware House of Representatives House Majority Caucus:
Amendment would allow two additional
casino venues in DelawareRep. Schwartzkopf amending his House Bill 194 in advance of Thursday’s debate
DOVER – With a floor debate on gaming expansion legislation scheduled for Thursday, House Majority Leader Rep. Peter C. Schwartzkopf filed an amendment on Monday that would allow for two additional casino venues in Delaware and establishes criteria and a transparent process for selecting locations.
The amendment to House Bill 194 would essentially rewrite the existing bill and authorize the addition of a casino in Sussex County and the city of Wilmington. The five-page amendment grew out of a report commissioned by the state earlier this year that determined that two additional venues would increase revenue to the state.
“When I filed House Bill 194 last year, I was dealing strictly with amending harness racing licenses,” said Rep. Schwartzkopf, D-Rehoboth Beach. “The Video and Sports Lottery Study Commission authorized a study that came back in January favorable to two more casinos in Delaware. After listening to people on all sides, I decided that a more competitive, open and transparent process for determining the locations is the best way to proceed.”
Under the measure, two separate five-member committees would be established to determine the feasibility and select casino locations in Sussex County and Wilmington. The Sussex panel would consist of the director of the Delaware Economic Development Office, the secretary of finance, and a retired judicial officer of the Delaware courts, a retired banker with at least 12 years of experience and a retired law enforcement officer, all appointed by the governor. The Wilmington committee would consist of two appointments by the mayor of Wilmington, one member chosen by the Wilmington City Council president, the secretary of finance and the director of DEDO, who shall be designated as chair.
Applications must be submitted within 60 to 75 days of enactment of the legislation. The committees would review each application and judge them based on multiple criteria, including at a minimum:
Overall anticipated revenue of the Delaware Lottery at each location;
Capacity of the project to create the maximum number of permanent and temporary jobs;
Business plan for the project and the experience of the owners, developers and video lottery operators;
Financial viability of the project and the financial investment made to date;
How soon a project could be open for business;
Effects on the surrounding community.“We want to make sure that applicants are capable of following through on their proposals and that they build what they say they are going to build,” Rep. Schwartzkopf said.
Rep. Schwartzkopf noted that the amendment also allows for the consideration of a licensing fee for each new venue, but that would need to be enacted separately. Adding a fee to the bill would increase the margin for passage from a simple majority – 21 votes – to a three-fifths majority – 25 votes.
In addition to revisiting the issue of a licensing fee, Rep. Schwartzkopf said the amendment calls for reviewing ways to help offset some of the expenses that the existing casinos have.
“I’m not sure everyone will be happy with the final product, but I think this is a much fairer approach than the original House Bill 194. It incorporates ideas and addresses concerns from several people on all sides of the issue,” Rep. Schwartzkopf said. “I look forward to a lively and spirited debate on Thursday.”
So there it is. Two more casinos proposed. With fig leaf “Selection Committees”. This should be interesting to watch and may be worth a trip to Dover to watch the fireworks.
So what do you think about two more casinos in Delaware?
Tags: Delaware Casinos
Oh, you know that Eric Budweiser, I mean Bodenweiser (former head of SKKKOR) will be up there with Bible in one hand and mud in the other, going after Pete and this bill.
And I like the Del Pointe proposal.
The dream dies hard, do’s it not? I predict histrionics from Harrington and death rattles from Delaware Park.That and further division of an ever decreasing revenue pie.
Where’s all those talking points about the FREE MARKET? There should be NO LIMIT on casinos. Just like there was no limit on Valero gas stations. ‘Nuff said.
Free of laws for any kind of stupidity. Where are the Libertarians?? Free gambling, free marijuana, free iPads…
Do come to Dover. We’ll have a meet up. Bring Liberal Geek, please.
1. Go Pete! I’d vote for the corksucker if he were in my district.
2. Fuck Wilmington. Del Pointe should be THE priority. Bodenweiser is an arrogant piss ant. (I’ve met him, and the wife went to school with him, and can verify).
3. …and, for the record, Clint Bunting is a douche bag too.
I am hearing that this bill does not necessarily have the votes. It will be interesting to see how things shake out on Thursday.
And let me say that I am personally disgusted with both sides here. The people trying to build new casinos, along with building trades unions have annoyed me with their interest in lining their own pockets at the expense of the quality of life of Delaware and the existing tracks.
The existing tracks, and their self-interested employees with signs that say “3 is enough” is a pathetic appeal to anti-casino public sentiment. Guess what, we know that you work there! You are not a disinterested 3rd party.
Finally, let me say that all of the casinos and the state legislature are acting extra-legally, since the state constitution specifically bans slot machines. Failing to amend the constitution makes a mockery of the entire institution.
I’ve really, really missed you Mis.
Del Pointe will bring construction jobs to Sussex and once it opens, not only casino jobs, but it will be a full-out resort with things for the entire family to do (water park, quick drive to the beach, a lake, movies, etc.)
And Clinton Bunting is a big douche bag. He’s going to cost his father a lot of votes in November.
1) If the Dover Downs couldn’t get the Sussex beach tourists to head up to their casino to drop cash, why would anyone think that Del Pointe will be different?
2) Schell Brothers forged a deal with labor unions. The construction may bring jobs to Sussex, but most of those jobs won’t be going to Sussex Countians because SC simply does not have that much union labor hanging around.
3) Vegas tried the “family destination” advertising campaign a few years ago, they dumped it for the “what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas” campaign. Why? Because families aren’t looking to stay at a Casino/Family Recreation Center, the PR campaign was a bust.
Whatever ends up happening, it’s imperative that the Legislature hold these developers to their promises. No bailing on the waterpark halfway through the project, etc. the way Sussex developers are bailing on the community pools and recreation centers they promised for their housing developments.
The advocacy for Del Pointe’s casino ambitions reeks of “my enemy’s enemy.” There are 1,000 reasons not to expand legalized gambling, to which resentment at Dover Downs, DelPark and Harrington are no counterweight. Sorry, Joanne, I love your advocacy for enlightenment in Sussex, but placing faith in coast developers is like doing business with Heidi Fleiss. In fact, isn’t she the mayor of Millsboro?
I’ve said before, I think the Del Pointe Casino project has nothing to do with ‘families’ and everything to do with “money” and my family will go nowhere near Rehoboth if it’s installed down that way. I wouldn’t want my kids on a playground inhabited by families who would dump their kids in a waterpark to play slots.
As for jobs, don’t make me laugh. If you shop at the beach and the salesgirl’s first language isn’t Slavic, you’re not in one of the “family” stores. I don’t begrudge the folks of Eastern Europe a job on my coast, far from it, but it’s clear that local teens don’t have much interest in the jobs we used to compete for, so I don’t see any reason that they’ll be excited, 3 years hence, to be taking jobs guarding the waterpark, parking cars or waiting tables, not to mention acting as croupier.
Fortunately, our liberal gun laws will make installing hookers and mafia types easier. Location is everything, you know.
Brooke the influx of Eastern Europeans isn’t because Sussex County kids don’t want to work, it’s because Sussex County kids go back to school in late August and early September. Eastern European kids don’t go back until October. Summer spots need employees that can work until Labor Day.
Um… my son had a job at the beach last summer and he had to leave before Labor Day for school. He has the same job this summer… and will be leaving before Labor Day – again.
Pandora, I know kids that do. But I know a lot of kids who don’t work at all… and their parents did. It used to be a privilege, and now it seems to be more a burden.
General observation of our society, not a swipe at Sussex.
missunda – Millsboro is only 15 miles from most of the beach areas; no one vacationing at the beach want’s to drive 40+ miles up to Dover – unless it’s NASCAR weekend and they’re staying down here.
2. If someone has been out of work and the only thing standing in their way is signing a union card or staying unemployed, my bet is that they will sign a union card. They can always leave the union when they want.
3. We’re NOT Vegas. We are not in the desert and have more things to offer families, which is why the Del Pointe concept fits in the area, especially when part of the water park will be indoors for year-round use.
According to mapquest it’s 28 miles from Rehoboth to Millsboro in 48 minutes. Which is about right, on a good day. I’m still not getting the feeling that families are going to make that trek.
And if we aren’t Vegas, are we Atlantic City, because the family thing didn’t work there, either.
The anticipation of waiting for the “racinos” to pay for some quality “grassroots” outrage. That’s what I’m enjoying.
John Manifold–who you calling Joanne? I shouted “craps” a long time ago. Expanding the economy on the backs of anticipated vice and ill-gotten gain aren’t exactly my idea of promoting this state or a return of a robust, sustainable economy. But nobody asks me.
Missundastood, Rehoboth to Millsboro is no where near 28 miles or 48 minutes. Its more like 12 to 15 miles to the rt.1 corridor and 20 to 25 minutes on average.
MJ, can you back me up on this?
Again, for the record, I have no dog in this fight other than the state really should not be relying on gambling for revenues. But this interests me from the proposal:
Applications must be submitted within 60 to 75 days of enactment of the legislation.
So what projects are pretty much on the shelf already? A 60 day turn is fast, which says to me that they are putting their thumbs on the scale for the folks who have been out there working the angles.
And then there’s this:
Rep. Schwartzkopf said the amendment calls for reviewing ways to help offset some of the expenses that the existing casinos have.
Oh really? Why — exactly — is the State of Delaware helping to offset expenses by casinos that are functional and making money now? If they can’t compete without help then Let Them Fail. If they aren’t able to be competitive NOW, they they are lost when all of the other venues open up around us and now is NOT the time to send these casinos any signal that they are Too Big To Fail.
Too bad cass–I hear in some parts of the state dog fighting is rather lucrative:)
Rehoboth Avenue to Patriots Way =20 miles via Rt 9 and 30. 23 miles via Rt 24. So likely 25 to 40 minutes in the summer (both of those roads are only one lane in each direction, no passing lane and extremely congested in the summer).
Bethany Beach area (BB, Millville, Oceanview, Dagsboro, Clarksville) is 20 miles and less away. And don’t forget about the Pot Nets, et al vacation homes of the longneck area within 15 miles.
There are also quite a few new “hidden” neighborhoods on either side of 113 that you don’t notice as you cruise along. While not vacation homes or rentals per se, residents would likely patronize the dining establishments and movie theaters year round (I know my family would).
The Del Pointe location (although I believe is now or soon to be annexed to good ‘ole Millsberry) is 5 miles north of “downtown” Millsboro.
Joanne C: I was referring to Delaware’s other redoubtable Joanne C, namely Ms. Cabry, head of Progressive Democrats of Sussex County, who has been energetically plugging the Del Pointe project.
Well, shame on her!!
Del Pointe has already been annexed by the Town of Millsboro by a unanimous vote.
The site is only 2 miles north of downtown Millsboro.
I still say you can make it from Rehoboth to Millsboro in 25 minutes on any given day.
just sayin
Please enact smart growth legislation before Middletown and Millsboro annex everything that’s not nailed down.
“The site is only 2 miles north of downtown Millsboro.
I still say you can make it from Rehoboth to Millsboro in 25 minutes on any given day.”
lol, maybe by Schell Brothers helicopter.
MFD to Piney grove road via 113 is 4.1 miles.
Have you never been stuck in a train of cars following a lol (little old lady) driving 40 mph along rt 9 or 24? Happens all the time especially during the day.
anon try google maps, 28 miles, 48 minutes. 25 minutes would maybe get you to the chicken plant on a good day from the boardwalk. But the chicken plant is still a long way from where the casino will be.
Personally, I don’t know why anyone would choose to rent a place in Rehoboth. There really is nothing to do. Outlets (bargins?), beach (overcrowded), fishing (marginal at best), dining (a handful of good places that do stuff you can’t do at home)… all mediocre for the most part. A nice place to live, but for the cost vs. benefit, I would never consider it for a vacation.
missundastood, mapquest says 17 miles 24 minutes.
meatball, piney grove is off 113 across from Georgetown speedway. Del pointe is way south of that across from Stocley Center and graveyard. Like I said 2 miles at tops.
Don’t care what google maps tells missunda, Millsboro is no more that 15-18 miles from RB, closer to Lewes, Plantations, Angola, etc. And the Del Pointe property was annexed into the City of Millsboro last year, so it will not be subject to any zoning ordinances passed by the Sussex County Council.
And meatball, one of the reasons people rent in RB for a week or the summer is to get away from DC/Philly/B’more/NYC. It can be relaxing just to sit on the beach (there are some spots that aren’t crowded). You don’t have “to do” anything to have a nice time.
From downtown Rehoboth, in the summer, we’re talking about summer vacationers right?, it takes at least 35-40 minutes to get to RT.113. I lived in Downtown Rehoboth and went thru Millsboro via 24 every week, for years.
Should this happen, I have would imagine someone will be running shuttles from the beaches to the casino.
Miscreant – might not be a bad business to get into. When Colorado began limited-stakes gambling in 1990, I told my father that he should invest in a few small buses to take people up to the hills. He didn’t think the casinos would be popular. He regretted that decision.
anon.
This is kind of a silly argument, but I must insist. I know exactly where the site is as my son attends Sussex Central HS. You will note that on the Del Pointe site plan http://delpointeresort.com/Del%20Pointe%20Master%20Plan%204B.pdf (note it is a pdf), that the redesigned Piney Grove Road is the main entrance. But a couple of miles distance certainly would not deter anyone from going. Heck us locals drive further to go to Sears, right?
MJ, I realize city dwellers need the escape to “do nothing” that’s why I left the city. I was really talking about myself. I already live the “escape” so when I vacation, I prefer to do “something”. Once, I even vacationed in D.C. in the summer:)
Meatball – DC in August can be invigorating. Despite the heat and humidity – Congress is out of town, so there’s a lot less hot air blowing about.
MJ I live off of 24 in Sussex, between RB and Millsboro. From the boardwalk in RB to the casino site in Millsboro is a minimum of 35-40 minutes in the off season.
I still think you folks are crazy to believe that people AT THE BEACH would drive all the way to millsboro to drop money into slots.
Going down 24 in the summer season can take 30 min. from Rt 1, to Long Neck Road. Traffic is terrible. Locals do all their shopping during the week. So imagine if there is “casino traffic” on top of the regular road conditions. Perhaps there not as much interested in the beach traffic as they are folks coming up 301 from Maryland.
Gamblers are nuts. They will get in the car and go. My old man used to drive to Atlantic City and back until he couldn’t drive anymore. People come from all over to go to Foxwoods in CT. And besides, “at the beach” these days means just about anywhere in eastern Sussex.
I think you’d be surprised at the number of people AT THE BEACH who make the drive to Harrington.
I want to know who the hell in our government ran on a casino gambling platform. I don’t think anybody did.
“Things that make you go Hmmm “
How would you know how many vacationers travel to Harrington?
Do you really want your kids playing in the proposed park at the Indian River Inlet when some drunk asshole comes out of the casino, after losing his mortgage on his house.
The overall outcome will be bad because (as was stated a couple of times above)it appeals to people’s lesser, rather than their greater, natures.
Can you make money doing that? Absolutely. money LOVES that. Can you build a stable economy and livable state on it? No.
Nevada and New Jersey are bigger and more populous, but they don’t have the dense population of what were once colorfully referred to as “gaming hells” that we will.
And, really. After seeing the impact our investment in the banking industry (just for example) has had on our state political climate, anyone want to figure how soon we’d be run by successful gambling? When you have a plan that causes more problems by success than with failure, you have a bad plan.
I’d so rather see a push for more science education and research jobs. This is a short-term thinking nightmare.
“How would you know how many vacationers travel to Harrington?”
My niece and a friend’s son work there. The subject comes up on occasion, asshat. Now, how do know how many don’t?
I can’t believe people soiling their shorts over gambling.
Lottery=Gambling
Bingo=Gambling
Texas Hold’m (misc. Volunteer Fire companies)=Gambling
Perhaps it would be easier for the self-righteous to choke down if the state’s cut were earmarked to fund education or recreation programs. A model would be how the West Virginia Lottery funds their state park system and environmental education programs.
I’ll concede, Del Pointe isn’t the ideal location in Sussex. It should be between Lewes and Rehoboth (and NOT in a state park).
This has been said many times by many people, but it’s true, as soon as we put a casino in the sand we’re on our way to become Atlantic City.
And I don’t oppose gambling on “self righteous” grounds, I oppose it on the grounds that it will do absolutely nothing to bring better jobs to Delaware, in fact, it will act as a deterrent. Unless we’re talking about PayDay Loans and pawn shops, maybe strip clubs.
I’d rather see Delaware continue its effort to bring solid, good paying jobs to the state, jobs that require more than slinging drinks and hanging off a brass pole.
My nephew and a son’s friend work there. The subject comes up on occasion. If we go by the report that we spent so much money on, the ideal location would be the delmar proposal. Remember, the report said that south western sussex was the best location, and that the beach draw was minimal.
Hey, if strip clubs become rampant, maybe the Republican party has a shot at resurgence in Delaware after all…