Sioux Falls

I was in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, yesterday (ain’t business travel glamorous?).  It was my first time in South Dakota, so I can cross off another state.

It was interesting because there are casinos EVERYWHERE.  In mini-malls, in old fast food restaurants, in bars, at Champs where I had dinner, EVERYWHERE. 

It made me think of Wisconsin.  Wisconsin has a race-based policy where only the Tribes can run casinos.  I have long advocated the abolition of that policy to allow other races to be permitted to run casinos.  Sioux Falls made me rethink that stance.  Such a prevalence of casinos seemed a bit seedy, but perhaps that is an emotional reaction.  I admit that after dinner I wouldn’t have minded pulling a couple of handles if I hadn’t been so tired.  Gambling, when done responsibly, is fine.

In the end, I returned to my original position.  Even if it means a ratty casino on every corner, it doesn’t justified a race-based gambling policy enforced by the government.