Great News! On Monday night, April 27h at 7pm (click here for agenda) the Kalispell City Council is holding a work session to discuss future options for adopting policies that would limit future casino's in Kalispell. Even though the council approved a new casino near the intersection of West Reserve and US 93 north of Kalispell on a split vote of 5 to 4, the council has recognized public concerns with additional casino development in Kalispell. Councilors Phil Guiffrida, Chad Graham, Sandy Carlson, Tim Kluesner and Mayor Mark Johnson voted in favor while councilors Wayne Saverud, Rod Kuntz, Jim Atkinson and Kari Gabriel were opposed.

Click Here to send comments before 5pm Monday 4/27 for this workshop or better yet plan to attend and voice you support for limiting the further expansion of casinos in Kalispell. Click here for the Staff Report for background on this issue. See sample comments below.

As of March 31, 2015, Kalispell currently has 36 Casinos within the city limits along Idaho Street or elsewhere south in planning jurisdiction according to the MONTANA DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, GAMBLING CONTROL DIVISION. We understand that seven of these are currently owned by Town Pump Inc. including the casino in the Kalispell Center Mall.

Sincerely,

Citizens for a Better Flathead

Sample Casino Comments

I encourage the Kalispell City Council to put in place policies that will not allow any new Casinos in Kalispell.

I oppose allowing additional casino because :

---There are already over 30 casinos in the City of Kalispell--enough is enough.

---"Casinos depend on problem gamblers for their revenue base. Problem gamblers account for 40 to 60 percent of slot machine revenues, according to studies conducted over the past decade or so. This evidence contradicts claims by gambling lobbyists that their industry wants to attract only those customers who play casually "for fun."

---I believe that additional casinos detract from the quality of life and appeal of Kalispell to those who might want to invest in new businesses or homes in our city.

---I believe additional casinos will have negative impacts on property values in the area ,

---I believe there will be negative impacts on the character of our neighborhoods if unlimited casino development is allowed,

---I believe that additional expansion of casino's in the city will likely bring even more safety and traffic issues.

Citizens for a Better Flathead encourages you to make a difference by participating in the decisions that are shaping the future of your community!

Our work and alerts such as this are dependent on the generous support of individuals like you.

Click here to read the story in the Flathead Beacon. See quotes below.

"In the last 12 months, video gaming machines in the Flathead grossed nearly $30 million, the fourth highest amount in the state behind Yellowstone, Missoula and Cascade counties, according to DOJ statistics."

"I will tell you, as an addiction counselor who has worked with a lot of people, gambling actually ruins more lives in my opinion than alcoholism," she said. "And that's because of the financial concerns." Vim Tesar, licensed professional addiction counselor certified through the Montana Council on Problem Gambling.

According to national studies, gambling tends to prey on lower-income families, senior citizens and Native Americans more than other demographics. Another study, conducted by the state's Gaming Commission, estimated that gamblers are more likely to be divorced or separated and experience more than double the average rate of bankruptcies. It also found that gamblers were far more likely to resort to illegal means to support their addiction.