Proposed casino zoning debated at town hall

Irving—Irving city council member Mark Cronenwett hosted a town hall meeting at the Irving Convention Center on Friday, Mar. 14. Hundreds of residents voiced their opinions on a proposed mixed-use entertainment district that could include a casino should gambling become legal in Texas. 

The meeting, attended by approximately 400 to 500 people, featured a presentation by the Las Vegas Sands Corporation outlining its business model and the potential benefits of a destination resort. 

Many residents expressed strong opposition, citing concerns over crime, economic impact, and the lack of community input in the planning process.

The proposed development spans 1,001 acres, including the former Texas Stadium site, and would consist of corporate, retail, and residential spaces, along with a large resort. Las Vegas Sands touts the project as a significant economic driver for Irving, promising job creation, increased tourism, and a strengthened tax base. However, opponents argue that introducing casino gaming would do more harm than good.

A Change.org petition titled "Stop the Rezoning of PUD 6 for 'Destination Resort/Casino'" had amassed over 2,600 signatures as of the day before the meeting. The petition states, "Instead of relying on a casino that preys on our most vulnerable citizens, we should focus on developments that truly benefit Irving—like small businesses, green spaces, and family-friendly attractions."

Cronenwett acknowledged the controversy surrounding the proposal. 

"What is being proposed at this point for the zoning changes, which includes some reference to a gaming component, is highly controversial, and citizens are rightly concerned about that," he said.

Many Irving residents protested in opposition during the presentation from Las Vegas Sands. Nece Zipper, a resident living near the proposed site, voiced frustration over the lack of transparency. 

"They keep saying the casino is a very small part and not even legal in Texas, yet they're trying to rush through a zoning amendment with very little community input," Zipper said. "They only held this town hall because we demanded it."

Another resident, Deborah Romanick Baldwin, echoed similar concerns, arguing that the development would disrupt the community. 

"I care about my community, and I am very concerned about this monstrous development that overshadows the surrounding area," Baldwin said. "Gambling has a connection with crime despite what the representatives claim. I want to see Irving developed responsibly and in a way that maintains its livability."

Crime statistics have been a significant point of contention in the debate. Opponents cite studies suggesting that crime tends to increase in areas surrounding casinos, while Las Vegas Sands senior vice president Andy Abboud argued that well-regulated casinos can lead to lower crime rates.

Research on the effects of casino developments has been mixed. A 2009 study published in 'Criminology and Public Policy' found that crime rates rose immediately after casinos opened but eventually leveled off, likely due to economic adjustments and increased policing. 

A 2018 study published in 'The Journal of Gambling Studies' noted that well-regulated casinos in major tourist destinations did not experience significant increases in violent crime. However, a University of Nevada study found that Las Vegas has higher violent crime rates compared to non-casino cities of similar size.

"Irving is a family-friendly city," Baldwin said. "If we allow this, what kind of precedent are we setting? What kind of Irving will we leave for our children?"

Currently, Texas has some of the strictest gambling laws in the country, with only limited forms of gambling permitted, such as the state lottery, pari-mutuel betting on horse and greyhound racing, and tribal casinos. 

Illegal gambling remains widespread in the state, with underground poker rooms, unregulated game rooms, online betting, and sports betting rings operating in large cities.

Despite years of lobbying by the gambling industry, attempts to legalize casinos in Texas have repeatedly stalled in the legislature. Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, an opponent of gambling expansion, has refused to allow a vote on the issue in the Texas Senate. 

Not everyone who attended the town hall opposed the idea of a casino. 

"People are going to gamble no matter what," Frank Mitchell, a lifelong Irving resident, said. "They'll go to Oklahoma, Louisiana, or gamble online. Why shouldn't Texas get a cut of that revenue?"

Although plans for the site remain undetermined, Cronenwett said as long as gambling is illegal in the state, the development will not include a casino. 

"We are hopeful that there will be a premier convention center, maybe a sports arena, and other things that will draw visitors to the city to increase our tax base and business opportunities within our city," Cronenwett said. 

Following a Mar. 19 meeting that lasted more than seven hours and had 60 people signed up to speak, the City of Irving's Planning and Zoning Commission voted 5 to 4 to send the rezoning proposal to the City Council for consideration.