Gambling

I support an amendment to the Wisconsin Constitution to enable legalized gambling outside of just Native American land and a Common Council resolution to that effect - particularly for card games, table games and sports betting. The Milwaukee City Gaming Commission - funded by a 12.5% additional property tax on all licensed gambling houses - would regulate all Non-Native gaming facilities in the City of Milwaukee.

Furthermore, I would encourage Professional Sporting venues such as American Family Field, Fiserv Forum and US Cellular Arena to open onsite sports books. I also support the legalization, taxation, and regulation, of online gaming in the State of Wisconsin.

As an avid poker player, I am aware of many private poker games in the Milwaukee area that exist outside of the law and issues such as payouts and even robberies are not uncommon. Attempting to regulate the behavior of our citizens to discourage "vices" results in Black Markets that endangers not only those that engage within the Black Market but those adjacent to it. Bringing gambling above board into the broader market will not only raise significant funds for the City, County and State but also protect the public at large from predatory lending and broader security concerns.

Lastly, I propose that the age for Poker in the State of Wisconsin is reduced from 21 to 18. Poker is a game of skill as much as chance and Bingo is already allowed at 18, which is much more a game of chance than Poker.