City officials from Yankton, South Dakota, recently made a presentation to state lawmakers about a proposed downtown casino and entertainment center, Port Yankton. The city leaders urged legislators to support a constitutional amendment to present to voters in 2018 to allow the development. A nonprofit would hold the gaming license.
State Senator Larry Tidemann said, “I think if you can put something in place that becomes the drawing card, it spreads across the whole city and the whole region.” However, several legislators raised concerns about the proposal, such as if Port Yankton would take business away from Deadwood. State Senator Jim Bolin said, “My first concern is that it would an expansion of gambling in the state.” Other senators wondered how Yankton could cope with a significant increase in tourism.
Former state Senator Bernie Hunhoff, who led the presentation, said, “My point is we already have all the problems of gaming in Yankton and we’re not getting any of the benefits. People can gamble in Larchwood, Iowa, in Sioux City, at video lottery establishments across the city.” He added, “We think a recreational center on the river that adds some vitality to downtown can be part of the puzzle. Even more, we think the revenues that come from such a project could be used for all sorts of quality of life amenities in the region, things like pools and libraries.”
Yankton city leaders will present a final feasibility report about the proposed development later this summer.
