Quote:
Originally Posted by fatlazyless
...replacing them with a brand new casino designed along a Civil War style ... and power-up the local economy....with a year round casino business.
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We got a similar line in Ohio and we now have 3 casinos draining money from the local economies.
To get the job done required amending the state constitution. This amendment included the number of casinos, the precise locations, exactly how and what would be taxed, and who got to own them (out of state "investors").
In Columbus, ours is located on an old manufacturing site in a somewhat blighted area. There was great excitement about how the casino would revitalize the area. --Not to mention the tax windfall.
Well, it's been a few years now and the roads and infrastructure have been updated (at taxpayer expense). Let's see how we did... First, the predicted tax revenue was quite a bit lower than anticipated. There was no "revitalization" of the area. In fact, casinos go to great lengths to ensure that, once you're on the property, you don't leave. Lot's of complementary food, hotel rooms, you name it. Why would you even think of walking several blocks to some local establishment. Most of the jobs created are lower-paying "hospitality" workers. Dealers get more, but there aren't that many of them.
And all the money taken in? Why, that goes to the out-of-state owners.
So, unless you think the local government is capable of building and operating (successfully) a casino, I'd fight like all heck to keep them out of the area.