City needs to place its chips in casino debate

The Galveston Chamber of Commerce is right in its efforts to build consensus and form a strategy about casino gambling among its members.

The city of Galveston should do the same.

The city’s position should be in favor of closely regulated casino gambling. But even a coherent position against legalization would be better than no position at all.

The subject is timely in part because the chamber recently conducted a survey of its members about gambling. About 500 of the chamber’s 800 members responded, which was an impressive rate.

Almost 80 percent of those said they thought casinos would help businesses and that the chamber should urge Texas lawmakers to allow gambling in the city.

The subject also is timely, however, because it is certain to come up during the 82nd Legislative Session, which begins in January. Gambling comes up during every session of the Legislature, but next year could be different. The economy is down. The state faces an $18 billion deficit and continues to bleed billions to bordering states that allow gambling.

Many informed observers think a bill will make it to the floor for a vote next year.

So, the question for Galveston is not just about whether to have casinos, but also whether a city that wants to be a player in the tourism game will be at the table talking or out in the hall waiting with the other spectators to learn what has happened.

The latter is a dangerous place to be.

Full legalization of casino gambling could be a long shot (it might also not be one), but what about some incremental easing of the ban?

What about slot machines at horse and dog tracks? That has come up before and has had some support. What would that do to tourism in Galveston?

There are infinite other possibilities for drafting bills that would allow gambling in selected places. Can Galveston afford to be shut out if some gambling is allowed?

Galveston’s leadership needs to be informed about contemporary local attitudes and not assume there’s wide opposition here to gambling.

The chamber’s survey argues to the contrary.

At the very least, the city needs to be organized and mobilized to fight against bills that would allow gambling in other areas.