Community Chat

[happycat]

I live in a small town, the whole county is maybe 50,000. It looks like we are getting a large, resort style casino in the next few years. I am afraid though that all that glitters is not going to end up being gold in the long run.

Have any of you had large gaming operations come to your community? Was it great for jobs and tourism or did the crime rate go up?

We have people standing on most street corners now, with signs asking for money. We do have several organizations that help with homeless and hungry folks here, thank goodness.

I'm worried that crime will go up, to be honest.

[Laura14]

I visit Dubuque, IA quite often. They have two and it's a wonderful prosperous small town. I grew up outside of Atlantic City which didn't fare so well due to corruption.

It honestly depends on your city leaders and how mindful and honest they are.

[OKPrincess]

Oklahoma is full of casinos due to land owned by Indian tribes so they’ve been around for a very long time.

There is a large police presence in the casinos so safety has never been a concern.

[Kachina624]

I have two resort casinos within 15 miles of my home.  Both are Indian owned and operated and are on Indian land.  They are policed by tribal police, and in the case of a serious crime, the FBI.  They are both high-class operations with beautiful buildings, expensive hotels and golf courses.  They provide many jobs to both tribal members and to the community as a whole.  I doubt they have contributed to the local crine rate; we never hear about scandals or criminal activity taking place at these operations.  I don't think they have attracted a criminal element.

On the other hand, we enjoy going to the casinos to eat and they have some good entertainment.  According to their pact with the state, they must maintain a fund to provide services for those with gambling addictions.  They also contribute a percentage of their profits to the state general revenue fund.  People do come in buses from outside the area (God bless Texas) to visit the casinos.

You may still have people standing on street corners became use that's how some people want to live.  Our casinos have not eliminated homelessness.

[VaBelle35]

The new ones here in Maryland are tied to retail/outlet malls and restaurants.  The mixed use makes them successful.

The profits are not made public, so you have to look at the surrounding business and housing to see if it's booming.

[Catiele]

We live in the country and almost had a casino close to our back yard. Thankfully the town voted it down and they built elsewhere. We do go the one that is closest to us. They have entertainment and stores.

[riley1]

I agree with @Laura14 - being from NJ myself, when the casinos came in things that were promised never happened.

[SilleeMee]

There are 40 casinos spread all over Colorado. People seem to really enjoy them and they bring in extra satellite businesses which help their economies and attract new visitors.