October 16, 2006

Political Contributions

As the election season hits its final weeks, things are heating up. There are referndum all over the country looking at changes in casino laws or in building casinos in the first place.

In addition, as this Casino City Times post shows, where a candidate gets their money from can be just as big an issue as their platoform.

As reported by the Houston Chronicle: "Candidates for Texas governor have received more than $2 million from gambling interests, including the Chickasaw Nation, which has reason to keep Texas Hold 'Em to itself across the Red River in Oklahoma.

"The Chickasaws own Winstar Casino, a facility in Oklahoma just north of the Dallas-Fort Worth area that is drawing Metroplex gamblers away from casinos in Shreveport, La. The tribe gave Gov. Rick Perry a $40,000 donation, according to campaign finance reports released this week.

"That donation and others put a new focus on the gambling industry's battle to influence state races. Some want to bring casino gambling to the Lone Star State, while others hope to keep Texas gamblers crossing state lines.

"…Through Sept. 28, people or groups with an interest in gambling enterprises have given more than $2 million to candidates in the governor's race…"