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The Atlantic -- "A Good Way to Wreck a Local Economy: Build Casinos"

Discussion in 'Non-Vegas Chat' started by CosmoGold, Aug 7, 2014.

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  1. CosmoGold

    CosmoGold Low-Roller

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    Article

    Outside of Las Vegas—now home to only 20 percent of the nation’s casino industry—casino gambling has evolved into a downscale business. Affluent and educated people visit casinos less often than poorer people do for the same reasons that they smoke less and drink less and weigh less.

    Unfortunately for the casino industry’s growth hopes, downscale America has less money to spend today than it did before 2007. Nor is downscale America sharing much in the post-2009 recovery.
     
  2. RockyBalboa

    RockyBalboa Front Line Winner

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    Nice read and I agree that the saturation level has been pretty much reached in most areas. Especially the I-95 corridor!

    I don't buy into the arguments about how crime or problem gambling will increase. The problem gambling is something that should not be worried about on other levels anyways. People are free to make their own choices and if they choose to ruin themselves that is solely on them.

    I live in Texas now and would love to see a casino built here...closer than the 2.5hr drive I currently make to Louisiana.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 14, 2014
  3. tringlomane

    tringlomane STP Addicted Beer Snob

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    Problem gambling increases because building a casino nearby makes it easier for someone to have a problem. If it wasn't for gamblers with various levels of "problems", casinos would mostly struggle to stay in business.

    This from the article hits it right on the head too.

     
  4. TyrC

    TyrC Tourist

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    One of the problems with AC is that people don't seem to be encouraged to step
    outside and sight see once in a while. In Las Vegas you have things like the
    Mirage volcano or the Bellagio fountains. The city/county has to make sure that
    Las Vegas does have something to amuse people outside in between games.
     
  5. Fafa2e

    Fafa2e High-Roller

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    I definitely agree with this article. I've been to local casinos in Pittsburgh, Detroit, Cleveland, Phoenix, and South Florida (where I live) and generally the atmosphere is depressing. The casinos are usually filled with people who appear to be lower income and elderly either trying to hit a big jackpot to help make ends meet or just trying to alleviate their boredom and loneliness. The areas around the casinos are usually characterized by pawn shops, check cashing stores, and fast food restaurants.

    Now, as a degenerate gambler myself, when I visit cities where a casino is conveniently located nearby, I will tend to visit the casino at least one night of the trip. I also will gamble at my local casinos once or twice a month (but with a much smaller bankroll than I would have on a Vegas trip). I would prefer that I did not have any local casinos in my area, so that I would not have the temptation to visit these casinos and my gambling was 100% limited to Vegas trips.
     
    My Longest Trip Ever
  6. SH0CK

    SH0CK Stylin' and Profilin' Quasi Tech Admin

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    MODERATOR NOTE:
    Let's remember to keep politics and the government out of the discussion. Thanks!
     
  7. merlin

    merlin MIA

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    Casino's are a valid entertainment option for adults, in any society you will have some people who abuse alcohol, abuse drugs,overeat, and yes lose more than you can afford gambling. Those are facts of life, people aren't perfect, people have different values, society is not ordered. Casino's are not destroying society, they are a reflection of society.

    Just as you will not solve societies problems by eliminating casino's, you will certainly not solve them by building them. Which is why the decision to build casinos should be made naturally, like any other business. Barring a monopoly(which doesn't exist anymore), putting casino's in bad towns or bad areas and expecting them to solve anything is just foolish.
     
  8. Joe Strummer

    Joe Strummer VIP Whale

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    I shake my head in disbelief as NY State is moving forward to build
    several casinos in the Catskill area.
    AREN'T WE A BIT LATE ?
    Still moving to build - while casinos are closing + "the drop" is down.
    *
    And of course, they fly the list of good reasons
    and how well it will help the depressed economy
    of that area.
     
  9. aaisack

    aaisack VIP Whale

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    I disagree with the premise that casinos are a net bane. It's impossible to have an in depth conversation about this without bringing government or politics into the mix so i'll just leave it at that.
     
  10. Jerseyguy

    Jerseyguy MIA

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    I agree ,it's not easy to really get into the depth of AC's gambling history without at least a mention of politicians. Living in NJ ,I often feel like I'm just a lab-rat and the guys in Trenton are the scientists.
    If this is political please delete.
     
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