(Emmetsburg)– Palo Alto county residents will head to the polls to decide the fate of riverboat gaming in that county. The only question is when.
The board of supervisors earlier this week voted to end a prohibition on gambling in the county. That opened the door for gambling proponents to submit a petition with more than 600 signatures on it calling for a special election. They’re proposing a riverboat casino be placed on Five Island Lake near Emmetsburg.
Several gambling opponents spoke out at Tuesday’s supervisor’s meeting. Reverends Jim Morris of Emmetsburg and David Moore of Cylinder cited “catastrophic problems” with gaming, including an increase in suicides, compulsive gambling and financial ruin. Proponents say the concerns are unfounded.
The issue could be brought to Palo Alto county voters as early as June. The County Auditor needs to set a date yet.
