Local casinos can be enormously beneficial to the towns that they occupy. Huge venues generate millions of dollars every year. Thousands of jobs were created. Hundreds of thousands of dollars getting pumped into the community through increased tourism.
But it’s not all rainbows and light. There are also pain points to local casinos that bear consideration. Some of these are superficial. Others can be a genuine problem. What do you need to know about the casino being opened in your community? Let’s get into it.
Mo’ Money
The first thing you’ll notice when the lights turn on in that casino for the first time and the doors open to the public—more money. Casinos generate more green than the botanical gardens.
First of all, jobs. A single casino can easily employ over 1,000 people, all making more than minimum wage, with many earning significantly more when you factor in tips. Then, there’s tax revenue. Your town might see an annual tax boost of several million dollars, funding everything from infrastructure improvements to public services.
And those are just the direct benefits. Local businesses will thrive thanks to increased tourist spending. The people who come to town to gamble don’t spend all their time at the casino. They go out for dinner. They buy ice cream. Maybe they catch a movie. Depending on how busy the casino is, this influx of visitors could inject millions of additional dollars into your local economy each year.
Mo’ Problems
Isn’t that always the second half of the phrase? Having a new casino in your community will inevitably bring an adjustment period. Expect more traffic, less parking, and longer waits at restaurants. These are ultimately minor inconveniences—signs that the casino is doing what it was designed to do: attract people and generate revenue. That doesn’t mean you have to enjoy the frustrations or be grateful for them.
You might notice more litter on the sidewalks. Local crime statistics could see a slight uptick. There’s a documented correlation between increased tourism and higher crime rates, though the effect is usually modest. More often than not, it’s tourists themselves who become victims of petty crimes like theft.
However, there are also instances where visitors are the ones committing the offenses. While these shifts may not dramatically alter daily life, they’re worth keeping an eye on as the community adapts to its new reality.
Invisible Risks
Local casino openings are generally a positive addition to the economy. We’ve already described at length how they pump in additional revenue, create new jobs, and generate millions in taxes for the community. Next year’s new park probably won’t be named after the local casino, but you can be at least a little grateful to it as you feed the ducks and push your kids on the swing set.
However, there are financial impacts that are difficult to quantify or plan for. One is an increase in local gambling. Residents will inevitably start playing at the casino. This can be great for both them and the local economy, but individual experiences may vary. Some people—particularly those with little experience—may struggle with responsibly integrating gambling into their routine.
There is also a secondary side effect to increased local spending at the casino. If Joe Schmoe is pumping his discretionary income into a slot machine, it means he’s not spending it at Billy Bob’s Tavern. The thing about Billy Bob’s is that it’s very much a locals’ bar. This is the sort of place with $2 longnecks and $3 pints of beer on tap. It’s filled with—well, the kind of people who only buy beer at the lowest imaginable price. Whatever that means to you.
What it doesn’t have is tourists, and it never will, no matter how well the casino does. Billy Bob’s isn’t getting a boost from the casino; it’s actually losing customers to it. Casinos are famous for cheap—or even free—drinks, and this one has that plus gaming. Now, Billy Bob’s is hemorrhaging money, not because people are drinking less, but because they’re drinking somewhere else.
Expect Frustrations: Prepare For Success
Ultimately, the overall impact should be positive. Even the potentially negative effects may smooth out over time. Your town might build more parking. Restaurants and stores might become more effective at handling the increased business.
Joe Schmoe will return to Billy Bob’s Tavern. Maybe he’ll play his favorite slot machines on casino apps that pay while he nurses a beer at the bar.
You may experience some frustration along the way. Particularly if you are directly impacted by the developments. Eventually, you’ll see the benefits. Better stuff for your community. Jobs for your friends. More money for your business. These are benefits anyone can get behind.
