Kinzel: Cedar Fair on board with possible Ohio gambling

rolo: There is no evidence or data that concludes casinos come with an increase in crime. Bums can't afford to gamble. And crime lords? Dude, you've seen too many movies.

I've never felt more safe in a crowded public place than I have virtually anywhere in Las Vegas.

I never understood how dropping $20 into a slot machine is any different than dropping $20 into a video game. I already do the latter every time I go to CP. It's just entertainment. It all comes back to personal responsibility - you get addicted, you blow your retirement fund, it's no one's fault but yours.

Whoever said CP would be overrun by bums - ha. You know a lot of bums who would pay $45 just for the privilege of hanging out in a casino?

I'll say it again: Gambling already takes place in Ohio. Churches have bingo, there is the lottery, and...last but not least...online gaming grows every day. It is about time the conservative State government realize this is a significant revenue opportunity for the state and local governments, tax the crap out of it, and get on with it.

If they regulate it then the negative impacts would be minimal. A Cedar Point isn't about to ruin their reputation if they get into the casino game.*** This post was edited by wahoo skipper 3/11/2005 3:43:47 PM ***

Clifton Hill & Niagara falls is a very good comparison... like Jeff said, it's NOTHING like vegas and it is a family atmosphere, and the casino is literally a hop across the street from clifton hill (all the family activities and such) and a small jog away from the falls itself.

I think it's a good idea :)

-- Alan "give me a quarter, i love quarters" Jacyszyn

Heck, CP already has gambling in the arcade. You just get tickets for prizes instead of cash. CP is already programing it's customers to accept gambling.

By the way, I would love to have casinos in Sandusky for the increased revenues for the area, but Vegas will always be the place to really gamble.
*** This post was edited by tambo 3/11/2005 4:34:42 PM ***

Those casinos in Niagara Falls suck, though. They're dirty, overcrowded, and smelly. (Plus they don't give out free drinks!)

I'd rather go to a CF owned one any day.

Reminds me of another park when the thought of riverboat gambling came up in PA.....

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rolo: There is no evidence or data that concludes casinos come with an increase in crime. Bums can't afford to gamble. And crime lords? Dude, you've seen too many movies.

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Okay- I will leave what happens in the state of Ohio to the people who live in the state of Ohio. Maybe increased gambling will be beneficial, maybe it won't.

And about the crime lords part- I was just exagerating. My crime ring has never included VF. Heck, we've never been out of Minnesota.

All im gonna say is isnt the amusement industry all about family. Well lets bring the kids on down. I dont think this is a great move. Plus the idea in Ohio here is the county of Lorain to be the first to get a casino, but mayor campbell is pushing hard in Cleveland as well. The idea is that gambling will bring more people there. The thing is that they should kinda put it somewhere where they wont be so much as offiliated with the parks CF owns in Ohio. That is just plain crazy stick to the family Dick and no one will get hurt not even your hairpiece.

Billings MT or Biloxi MS were not ruined by the actual casinos...they were ruined by the lack of foresight and planning by city leaders to control and regulate the growth resulting from the casinos. Las Vegas HAS controlled and regulated growth, but not stopped it, and make Vegas a nearly family-friendly destination.

Generally, when cities or smaller communities open casinos, the casinos do not deliver the number of jobs promoted before construction; and most of the business is drawn from the local area, rather then generating tourism into the area.

I think it would be a bad idea for Ohio to go down this path; that said, if I had the option to visit the Cedar Point Casino, I'd be there for a pleasant hour of giving away money to the slot machines.

I would be willing to bet :) that if this bill would to be passed that within the year we would hear about Cedar Point buying some kind of riverboat casino or a permanent establishment on the mainland.

This would be such a big step towards tje realization of turning the park into a year-round tourist draw. I definitely wouldn't mind heading over there one weekend in the off season to play some hold 'em and have some fun. It could also be a step in the right direction for creating a decent night life around the park.

Cedar Point is just protecting their interests. They have an infrastructure to offer , and that is their contribution. They have parking, on site utilities, and get ready for this...hotels! Kinzel was interviewed a few years back. He said they 'wanted a piece', like you just read. He never said CF would own a license and operate it themselves, but in our 'reality world', CF may put up the capital dollars to build a building, and then lease out the 'gaming space'.

They collect rent, they fill their hotels, they run foodservice, they have housing, they run parking, they remove snow, and the list is endless. Its the same comparison if the Indians or the Browns wanted to co sign for a license, or ante up some property. If Cedar Point can make a buck in the off season, they will try and do it.

And hear this loud and clear: If the craphole(s) Chippewa Lake, Summit Beach, Idora Park, Euclid Beach, etc were still mulling along, they would be the first at the State Capital building with Chief Big Fart in tow with an agreement. I can also bet my career that Conneaut Lake Park would make every effort to jam the largest floating house of gambling on that lake the very second Harrisburg said they could gamble across the state line.

Cold facts. The 2 largest seasonal parks in the US. SF Great Adventure and Moreys Piers, employ a combined 300 year round and 5000 seasonally, and grosss probably $300 million. That is a lot of labor for those dollars. In comparison, Bally's Atlantic City employees 4000 year round and grosses over $900 million. You do the math. Atlantic City alone has 55,000 full time workers at the 13 casinos. Casinos are a cash machine that generate money 24/7. Parks, you have about 100 days total.

Cedar Point is simply stating that if they can do it, they want to make a few bucks, keep some seasonal help working, keep the parking lots full, keep the hotels going, and God forbid, make a few bucks. If I had a choice between downtown Cleveland and that mystery smell, or a proven resort with new hotels, resturants, and a new indoor waterpark, I know my decision.

*** This post was edited by Agent Johnson 3/13/2005 10:46:23 AM ***

Well, Cedar Point already has year-round availability, and if they plan to expand in the next few years, all the hotels they own may benefit from a much larger Castaway Bay, if that is in their plans. In Erie, PA, there is a racetrack gambling parlor just across the I-90 interchange from Splash Lagoon Indoor Waterpark Resort, and it doesn't interfere with the family atmosphere of all there is in that sector as far as I can tell.

CPgenius, you may be on to more than you know considering Cedar Fair bought that marina near Castaway Bay late last year. Seems an ideal spot for a "Riverboat" casino. I'd prefer to see a casino kept off the Peninsula and I suspect the powers that be feel the same way.