GARDEN GROVE : Council to Consider Legalized Gambling

City officials next week will consider the pros and cons of bringing Orange County’s first legalized gambling casino to their city as a way of raising much-needed revenue.

City Manager George Tindall decided to present the proposal to the council after gambling industry representatives voiced interest in bringing a card club to the city, officials said. It will be discussed for the first time Wednesday night at a monthly joint economic development committee made up of all five City Council members.

So far, a few council members have taken a wait-and-see attitude toward the proposal, while others expressed outright opposition.

But council members ultimately would have to put the issue to a citywide vote, officials said.

Mayor Frank Kessler said Friday that he has an open mind about card games and gambling.

“There are legitimate concerns and legitimate benefits,” he said.

Based on reports from cities that have legalized gambling houses, Kessler said a casino could generate about $1 million a month in revenue for Garden Grove.

That amount, he said, would pay “many times over” what the city would spend for additional police to watch over gambling operations.

Councilman Mark Leyes, however, said gambling has “undesirable side effects” and could bring crime to the city.

“If it came to a choice between gambling and shutting down the Police Department or the city, I would be willing to consider it,” Leyes said. “But we’re not close to that point.”

Councilman Robert F. Dinsen said he prefers to solicit residents’ opinions about legalized gambling in the city. He said he will seek to pose the question in water bills that go out to all homes in the city.

The idea for a gambling casino to raise money for the city was first advocated last year by Al Snook, an unsuccessful mayoral candidate.