Press Release: WASHINGTON REDSKINS ENDORSE QUESTION 7

[Forehead]

However it's sad...the more you think about it, look around these casino towns. They are dumps. They are filled with people who really shouldn't be gambling. When you go into a Chester casino or Reno casino....it's like...desperation and misfortune all around you. It's terrible.

There's truth to this, and frankly, one of the reasons I'd hate to see a casino or two go into National Harbor. I really like spending time there, I'd hate to see it start to resemble off-strip Atlantic City.

[pointyfootball]

Since the OP and the article did not even say WTF the question is, I'm assuming it is to legalize gambling and casinos just reading everyone elses responses.

That's kind of the funny part about the whole issue. It's not really advertised what "Question 7" is, just that it is, or isn't, going to bring a lot of tax revenue that will, or won't, be used to educate kindergarteners and will, or won't, create thousands of jobs. Both sides are just saying, "Say yes/no, to question 7 because the following will or will not happen".

[Rocky21]

I'm surprised most here don't have a problem with our football team publicly and officially taking sides politically.

Also surprised considering the NFL's position on gambling that Fuhrer Goodell hasn't swooped down to put a halt to this.

[IONTOP]

I'm torn as well... In NC they said that the revenue for the lottery would go to education... So if $200 million/year was projected to go to education, they took $200 million/year from the normal budget away from education...

But I love gambling, so I'm like "BUILD THAT THING!!!"

[MattFancy]

Don't like that the Skins are endorsing this. Why does it matter for them? I mean do they think all the fans are now gonna vote for it because they endorse it? Seems pretty stupid.

[Heisenberg]

Don't like that the Skins are endorsing this. Why does it matter for them? I mean do they think all the fans are now gonna vote for it because they endorse it? Seems pretty stupid.

Seems pretty obvious to me that someone stands to gain quite a bit financially if this goes through.

I hate a professional sports team getting involved in any type of politics.

[DjTj]

Seems pretty obvious to me that someone stands to gain quite a bit financially if this goes through.

There's definitely going to be a Johnny Rockets and a Redskins Store in this casino.

[Lombardi's_kid_brother]

Stadium complexes with casinos is the future, I suspect.

Football stadiums are the worst investment in the universe. Billions of dollars and ten guaranteed uses per year. The only way it makes sense for a team is if it is publicly subsidzed. And that era is ending.

So...how do you use a stadium 355 days a year when there is no football? Some concerts, I guess. Maybe a soccer game.

Or make it a big hotel/casino.

[Prosperity]

how do you turn a stadium into a hotel or a casino?

[Sniffler]

I'm torn on this issue. As far as I know... the revenue generated from the casinos does not specifically go to education. I believe it goes into a general fund. That way it does not HAVE to be used for just education. This is exactly what the state did with the teachers' pensions. Instead of putting the money aside specifically for what it is supposed to be used for... they put all money together in a general fund and "forgot" to fund the teachers' pensions. Now teacher's have to put more money into their pension to make up for the politicians' mistake.

I'm worried that if specific language is not put into writing then the same thing could happen here.
Either way, Maryland benefits from voting yes, so I am OK with whichever option is voted into legislation... I just feel the commercials are completely misleading (but then again, I should expect this during an election year)

[Dan T.]

Redskins Were Paid $450,000 to Endorse Maryland Gambling Ballot Initiative



A committee lobbying to expand gambling in Maryland pledged to give the Washington Redskins $450,000 on Oct. 1. The next day, the Redskins' president of business operations praised plans for a casino to open in Prince George’s County. The Redskins' press release endorsing the initiative was also released on October 2.

Dennis Greene said he felt obligated to support expanded gaming in the state because it would create jobs and bolster school funding. Greene didn’t mention the committee, called For Maryland Jobs and Schools, had offered up nearly a half million dollars to the team.

For Maryland Jobs and Schools has received at least $17.4 million from MGM Resorts International, the Las Vegas-based gaming heavyweight that wants to open the Prince George’s casino, according to campaign statements filed Friday night.

A spokesman for the Redskins could not be reached Friday night.

The committee also spent at least $15.9 million on advertising as it works to convince Maryland voters to support Question 7, which would legalize Las Vegas-style table games, such as blackjack, and permit a casino to open in Prince George’s County.

http://www.capitalgazette.com/news/e...13bfc8086.html

So in case anybody is keeping track, a half a million will buy the support of the Washington Redskins on a local ballot initiative

[skinsfan07]

A professional sports team endorsing politics in any way is a slippery slope. Not to mention they are dead wrong on this issue. Am I the only one that has a serious problem with the skins taking sides on this one, regardless of their position?

The girl in your sig, my God. Her name is Christina something. idk.

[skinfan2k]

Vote Question 7. Just because its another thing to do at national harbor. There will the outlets there and the casino. I bet MGM will step up a entertainment type of arena to host big entertainers.

[Dan T.]

Vote Question 7. Just because its another thing to do at national harbor. There will the outlets there and the casino. I bet MGM will step up a entertainment type of arena to host big entertainers.

Give me $450,000 and I'll be glad to vote yes.

[THEREALTOR1]

The lottery has much worse odds than many casino table games and lotteries target the poor. I don't think this is as much about the gambling as it is the Redskins involvement in promoting gambling.

I think that it is fine for an individual to promote it but it is totally wrong for the "Skins" to promote it.

Also surprised considering the NFL's position on gambling that Fuhrer Goodell hasn't swooped down to put a halt to this.

Don't the Skins already promote a scratch off ticket through the Maryland State Lottery? (I believe the ravens have their own ticket as well)

---------- Post added October-20th-2012 at 11:09 PM ----------

Only if there is sports betting.

And i'd be surprised if that happened. We had a hard enough time simply getting parlays allowed here in DE, and we're one of the state's grandfathered in.