Referendum has far-reaching implications for gaming in Wisconsin city

Monday, Sept. 11, 2000 | 9:45 a.m.

Tuesday's ballot does not mention the Lac du Flambeau proposal specifically but asks residents whether gaming should be outlawed in the city.

Opponents petitioned the city council for a vote after learning in July the city was in talks with the Lac du Flambeau tribe of Chippewa Indians to develop a casino complex at the former Fox Valley Greyhound Park. The tribe's proposal includes a $20 million casino, $30 million hotel (slash) convention center and $5 million indoor water park at the dogtrack.

The tribe offered a potential $92.5 million bonus to be split between the city and Outagamie County over 20 years, plus an estimated $35 million in taxes from the convention center and water park.

A pro-casino group, Support the Casino, says the project also would create jobs and spur further development.

"The infrastructure is already there and it would diversify our tax base," said Bob DeBruin, the group's co-chairman.

But opposition group Stop the Casino says gambling's hidden costs outweigh the economic benefits.

"Gambling is detrimental to families," said organizer Marsha Welson. "Family should be worth more than money any day."

Opponents cite a potential increase in crime, but research on the correlation between casinos and crime has produced mixed conclusions.

A 1996 study commissioned by the Wisconsin Policy Research Institute found introducing casinos in the state could bring an additional 5,277 major crimes and 17,000 arrests, costing the state up to $50 million a year.

However, a separate study commissioned by the Oneida tribe the same year found less of a correlation.

"We see anecdotal issues of fraud, embezzlement and gaming-driven crime," said Dennis Nelson, president of Attorney's Process & Investigation Services, which conducted the study. "However its actual impact on local law enforcement and crime gets blown out of proportion."

A survey by the Public Safety Department of Ashwaubenon, a village adjacent to the Oneida tribe's casino complex, backed up those assertions.

Ashwaubenon Village President Ted Pamperin said the Oneida casino has benefited the local economy. "I don't think the quality of life in Ashwaubenon changed at all because of the casinos," Pamperin said. "It's been a major contributor to the growth of Oneida Street."

The Lac du Flambeau have casino proposals pending in other communities, including Lafayette County, the Town of Lawrence in Brown County and the Town of Caledonia in Racine County.

Kaukauna Mayor John Lambie said he is hopeful voters will pass the casino Tuesday and win the tribe's bid.

"We feel, and the Lac du Flambeau feel, our location is best, and when the referendum is over and hopefully when it passes in favor of a casino, we can move forward," Lambie said.