If there's one thing we've learned here at the Mercury, it's that you can never guess what will get people fired up.
We have printed articles, which we thought people would have a strong reaction to, and there wasn't a peep. There have been others that we didn't expect would draw much of a response only to find people ready to riot in the streets. The whole garbage/recycling saga would be an example.
So when on March 19 we printed a story about the City of Estevan being approached by the Little Pine First Nation about opening a casino here, there was some curiosity to see what the response might be and if there would be one at all.
Turns out, people have some pretty strong opinions about casinos.
Within two hours of posting a link to the story on our Mercury Facebook page, 1,200 people had viewed it and there were 20 comments.
As is usually the case on Facebook, the comments were wide ranging and, ahem, interesting.
There were some adamantly opposed to any talk of a casino with the most common concern being addiction which seemed to be overlooking the fact that forms of gambling such as VLTs, Pro-Line sports betting, lotteries, Nevada tickets, online poker and online sports betting are all easily available in Estevan. In fact there have been reports that somewhere in the realm of $12 million is spent locally on VLTs.
There were other, more measured responses but, overall, it was pretty clear those who weighed in through Facebook are not in favour of a casino in Estevan. Then again it was also pretty clear that most of the people who commented did not read the full story.
For whatever reason, any talk of bringing a casino into the community seems akin to opening a brothel in the eyes of some.
Hyperbole aside, it would be naïve to think there are no societal issues to consider. Addiction is obviously the biggest one.
However, we posit that it would be equally naïve not to give any proposal a thorough look. The idea being pushed forward by the Little Pine First Nation would see eight percent of casino profits stay here in the city.
In an interview, it was noted that money could be put toward worthwhile causes such as recreation and infrastructure. With the City of Estevan eye deep in debt that money could come in very handy. And if history is any indication the city would also receive a strong increase on the tourism side.
Although it would likely be years before anything would move forward in Estevan, the City has taken the proactive step of asking residents to give their opinion on a casino. Along with selecting a new member of council and stating whether or not they would like to continue having fluoride added to their drinking water, residents will be asked their thoughts on a casino in Estevan.
Here's hoping that voters find that way past their initial reaction and give the pros and cons an honest look. The discussion of whether or not to open a casino in Estevan is one worth having.
Now seems like a good time to have it.
