Pros and Cons of Building a Casino in Your Neighborhood

The Las Vegas and Atlantic City locations have lost revenues in recent years. In addition to the economic slowdown, these gambling locations are also facing new competitors in the market that are providing attractive choices to the customers. Though there are some external forces beyond their control, it seems that attractiveness and accessibility are very important focus areas for these cities.

The growing industry of gambling creates revenue from taxes, but is it really profitable? Smith-Christopher claims “the total amount accounts for less than a quarter of the gambling industry revenues nationwide each year.” It can be said that gambling can help economic progress, “Nearly half of all tribal gaming enterprises earn less than $10 million in annual revenue, and one-quarter earn less than $3 million each year. On the other end of the spectrum, about 40 tribal casinos (or about 1 in 10) take in two-thirds of all Indian gaming revenues” (Smith-Christopher). The economic benefits that gambling creates may outweigh the addictions it may create. Walker claims, “As gambling expands, the gambling industry and government are beginning to

Studies show gambling as a source of jobs and tax revenues, and the activity is seen as entertainment for the public. The spread of gambling across the United States has not taken business from Las Vegas; it has only stimulated a greater boom for our region’s economy. Three inventions allowed gambling in America to expand into a major

Economic development has to occur after a period of sustained economic growth. It is therefore the growth in total economic output accompanied by changes in the structure of the economy.

For many years, Nevada casinos did not make much of an effort to attract the Hispanic demographic, despite the relatively large Hispanic population in the Southwest. There was a clear, underlying assumption that this demographic had little interest in casino gambling, at least not the high-stakes gambling conducted at typical Las Vegas casinos, where it is not unusual for patrons to gamble more than $1,000 in an evening, as well as see expensive 'lounge acts.' Clearly, such assumptions were erroneous given that casinos specifically catering to the Hispanic market are now flourishing in Nevada. Furthermore, because the Hispanic demographic has been so long neglected, even Hispanic leaders are not complaining that their communities are being preyed upon. These new campaigns are seen as a sign of strength of Latino buying power.

Smoking-related illnesses like emphysema and lung cancer place an enormous drain on the system, and are mostly preventable.” (Livestrong.com Par 1) People do not want to pay taxes for those that will abuse

However, the quality of work that would be supplied would be very low. It would most likely be jobs at the casino. Such as a bartender or just some people to make sure everyone is having a good time playing electric bingo. What many people fail to notice is the kind of people that the casino would be bring in. This is not to be racist or anything, it is to bring up this issue of the kinds of lifestyles that people have who can to casinos. Many people who go to casinos enjoy drinking and smoking. Shabbona does not have a local liquor store or smoke store, just what the two gas stations and bars provide. As a result, the casino may bring in a company to the town of Shabbona that sells liquor. That in turn exposes more people in the local area to easier and possibly cheaper liquor. I think the ripple effect is obvious. This is not to say that there are not responsible people who go to casinos, there definitely are! From an arguers’ standpoint, it is easy to see the possible negative effects that the casino would bring to the

First, when allowing casinos into parts of the state, it brings with it multiple opportunities for employment, i.e., construction jobs, manager positions, server positions, gaming technicians, etc. When casinos enter a state, research has proven that the unemployment rate dropped significantly. According to the University of Chicago, National Opinion Research Center (NORC),

Proponents of expanded gambling in Ohio hammered home arguments yesterday that casinos would create thousands of jobs and millions of dollars in tax revenue at a time the state's economy desperately needs relief. Opponents, however, said a measure on the Nov. 3 ballot would impoverish people who become addicted to gambling, drain profits from existing businesses and shortchange local governments by levying a too-low tax rate.

Even though gambling might, in some cases, bring money into the state and local economies there are side affects to having a casino down the street. The casino might bring in thousands of jobs for the community but the "revenues from gambling aren't worth the drain it places on the families of working people who wager their paychecks and lose." Says Mike Huckabee, Governor of Arkansas (Expanding Gambling in Arkansas).

One might say that the casinos on reservations are only putting money in the pockets of certain individuals, that enough money is not generated to help the community. Well, take a look at the Mashantucket Pequot’s from Connecticut. “In 1992, the Pequot’s struck a deal…(paying) 25% of gross revenues on slot machine(s) to have slots in its…casino, as long as they paid at least $80 million per year for the privilege of having slots. These large payments prevented the state from granting a license for a proposed non-Indian casino in the Bridgeport area. In the fiscal year 2002, payments to the state are estimated in excess of $350 million” (Evans, 10). At 25%, that means that the casino has generated 1.4 billion in revenue; on slots alone. That’s a lot of money to be poured back into the community, as the casino regularly sponsors local activities in the community. According to the Indigenous Policy Journal, “In 2006, Indian gaming generated net revenues exceeding $25 billion, with evidence suggesting the investment of gaming dollars into a broad array of social, economic, and governmental programs” (Conner, 1). These

Smoking is very expensive for the average nonsmoker. Every year we all have to pay taxes.

For years the tribe pushed for the casino, lobbying state and local government on how the casino would have such a great impact on Connecticut. Seeing that there were huge profits to be made in casinos, four years later in 1996, only miles down the road, the Mohegan Tribal Nation opened its Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville. Foxwoods Resort and Casino and Mohegan Sun have seen not only enormous individual success as casino since their openings but have provided New England with thousands of jobs, boost in tourism, and major cash flow for state and local governments. But why is this important to Massachusetts’s residents? Where do we (Massachusetts) fall into all of this? Can casinos save the state from this economic crisis it is currently in?

People have thought that casinos only bring trouble. The people who built these structures proved to be in doubt because it is more than these places were built around the world. It generates jobs, generates income and gives people something other than going to the beach or recreational park.

State Governments across the U.S. have succumbed to using casinos as lotteries as a way to infuse money into local economies. The trend is disturbing. Instead of properly using well-regulated spending nad raising money through balanced taxation, governments are using a method that bleeds money from the poor and middle-class to fund the economy. Gambling is a dangerous way to raise money and it should remain illegal.