Casino Effects on Business, Charities, Job Seekers & Host Towns

from Middleboro Remembers: Casino Effects on Business, Charities, Job Seekers & Host Towns:

Broken Promises To Local Business & Host Communities

Take it from Kenneth Ivins, Finance Commissioner for casino host city Saratoga Springs, New York. The casino has driven up the city's costs for police, water, sewer, roads, and schools. But, facing a budget crunch, the state just zeroed out the $3.9 million in state aid the city once received to cover the increased costs.

And there are no economic gains for local merchants. "People who come to the area to gamble rarely shop," said Ivins. "The money is not going to the local merchants or the sales tax base. It's really not supporting our economy."


Run the Numbers: No Net Permanent Jobs

The U.S. Department of Commerce estimates that, for every $1 million diverted from household spending in New Hampshire, the state loses nine existing jobs. The New Hampshire Gaming Study Commission (page 19) projects that a $500 million Salem or Hudson casino would produce 2,215 permanent direct and indirect new jobs. But because up to half of casino revenue will be displaced from current consumer spending, nearly 2,500 existing jobs will be lost. Apart from temporary casino construction jobs, there are no net job gains.

Note that the median pay including tips at US casinos is $11.25 per hour.