The Real Deal

[Featured Posts] Pick Yourself Up

Thu, 12 Aug 2010 17:58:00 GMT

Years ago, when Frank Sinatra performed in Atlantic City, he sometimes sang the popular tune, “Pick Yourself Up.” “Take a deep breath,” Ol’ Blue Eyes crooned, “pick yourself up, and start all over again.” These days, New Jersey is heeding the advice of its native son. Atlantic City has long been plagued by political corruption; the city’s leaders have squandered millions of dollars and made little headway in the ongoing battle against crime and blight. And, in recent years, the revenue generated by the city’s casinos has dipped substantially. Last month, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie decided that the time for state intervention had come. Breaking with convention, Governor Christie proposed a plan in which the state would lead efforts to rehabilitate and reinvent the city. Though the governor’s plan is not without flaws, the commercial casino industry supports his approach and applauds his commitment to helping Atlantic City regains its status as a premier East Coast resort destination. We believe it is a first step in the right direction. Unfortunately, during a recent online discussion about the merits of Governor Christie’s plan, two reputable columnists at The New York Times – Ross Douthat and Gail Collins – grossly mischaracterized his (more...)

[Featured Posts] They Like Us

Wed, 19 May 2010 16:01:00 GMT

One of the most poignant acceptance speeches in the Oscars history included the line: “You like me. You really like me.” It’s a good feeling – being liked – and Sally Field had proof that the community of actors felt that way about her after she was presented with an Oscar. And while the commercial casino gaming industry doesn’t have an Oscar to validate our acceptance by our host communities, we do have repeated affirmations of approval. These come by way of poll results showing that people living and working in casino communities have good things to say about us. A few years ago, a survey conducted by Peter D. Hart Research Associates, Inc. found that elected officials and civic leaders in gaming jurisdictions have an overwhelmingly favorable view of casinos and their impact on their communities. The results showed that casinos have exceeded the expectations of community leaders in the locations where they operate and have contributed appreciably to economic development in those areas. And, in perhaps the most significant show of support for casinos, fully three-quarters (75 percent) of opinion leaders indicated they would vote again to allow casinos into their communities if given the opportunity. This year, Peter Hart and (more...)

[Featured Posts] The Times They Are A?changing

Wed, 21 Apr 2010 18:26:00 GMT

With apologies to Bob Dylan, the times they are a’changing (at least there are signs they are a’changing), and the commercial casino industry is both the beneficiary of and contributor to this change. Like all sectors of the economy that are largely dependent on the discretionary spending power of Americans, the commercial casino industry has had a much leaner bottom line during the worst recession in a generation. Americans have reduced their entertainment budgets during the past two years, cutting their spending on everything from restaurants to travel to casino gambling. Although we must be sensitive to continuing challenges in our industry – as evidenced by ongoing problems in key states like Nevada, New Jersey and Mississippi – cautious optimism is warranted. Indeed we can find signs that the economy is beginning to shrug off the problems by looking at progress within the commercial casino sector. The last month of 2009 saw the huge 67-acre CityCenter casino-hotel-residential-shopping complex open to great fanfare in Las Vegas. Casinos in Detroit have witnessed promising revenue trends, with Greektown enjoying its best first quarter earnings ever. Pennsylvania is flush with bids for casino licenses. Groundbreakings – completed and announced – for casino complexes in (more...)

[Featured Posts] The Mid-Atlantic Hot Streak

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 17:28:00 GMT

By Keith SmithPresident and CEO, Boyd Gaming CorporationChairman, American Gaming Association Though the new year already is well underway, speculation remains rampant among commercial casino industry insiders and observers about gaming’s prospects in 2010. From my perspective, this will be a rebuilding year for our industry – one that is marked by both gradual growth and continued innovation. Many eyes are trained on traditional gaming markets, particularly Las Vegas, for confirmation that our industry is recovering at a healthy pace. However, I believe that some of the most exciting developments are taking place elsewhere – in an emerging gaming region that will substantially impact the future success of the commercial casino industry. For a long time, Atlantic City, a favorite resort destination along the East Coast, virtually dominated all gaming activities in the region. However, in recent years, a swath of states straddling the mid-Atlantic has become a hotbed of gaming activity. Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania and (just to the west) West Virginia all have expanded commercial gaming operations within their jurisdictions. At the close of 2009, voters in Charles Town, W.V., approved a measure to install roulette wheels and craps tables alongside 5,000 slot machines. And, last month, Pennsylvania’s governor signed a bill (more...)

[Featured Posts] A Part of the Solution

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 16:27:00 GMT

A rash of news articles published in recent weeks have questioned the lasting economic benefits of our industry, suggesting that casinos have somehow reached their maximum earning potential. These news stories often quote gaming opponents, who contend that state governments looking to casinos to close budget gaps are likely to be disappointed. Are casinos good investments for communities searching for new sources of income? Absolutely. Can gaming single-handedly bail out states experiencing economic troubles? No. Our industry has long contended that casinos are not a panacea for states struggling with budget shortfalls. Gaming can be a crucial element of a state’s plan to achieve financial stability, but it cannot be the sole solution. Without a doubt, however, casinos certainly can help jump-start a stagnant economy. They provide good-paying jobs, generate business opportunities for local vendors and entice tourists. During these difficult times, those contributions are more important than ever before. For example, a new casino that recently opened in Pittsburgh, Pa., has received enthusiastic praise from community leaders for attracting visitors to neighboring businesses and injecting fresh vigor into the town. During its first month, The Rivers casino hosted nearly 23,000 gamblers and diners. And local hotels continue to report an increase in calls from (more...)

[Featured Posts] A Reality Check

Tue, 18 Aug 2009 19:25:00 GMT

The findings from a new Ball State University study – “Racino Gaming’s Impact on Wages, Employment, Economic Diversity and Stability: Evidence from a Spatial Model of West Virginia” – represent an almost complete departure from reality. They tell a dramatically different story than the one that thousands of racino employees and gaming community members know to be true. Author Michael Hicks claims that racinos create low-paying jobs that depress regional wages. He arrived at this ill-founded conclusion after employing an arcane economic model to analyze the impact of the four racinos in West Virginia. Any economist worth his salt would agree that Hicks’ findings defy logic and betray the basic principles of sound research. In fact, a detailed analysis of the study reveals that its methodology and economic model are faulty. For example, Hicks’ model does not include “non-wage compensation,” even though tips alone generally account for about 22 percent of most casino/racino employees’ compensation. Further, the model ignores other factors – such as population changes and unemployment rates – that might have an impact on employment and wages. Perhaps most outrageously, the study fails to explain that a reduction in regional compensation is not the result of racinos depressing wages, but (more...)

[Featured Posts] Setting the Record Straight

Thu, 07 May 2009 20:14:00 GMT

Anyone who follows the U.S. commercial casino industry in the news is familiar with gaming critics’ well-worn claim that living in close proximity to casinos leads to an increase in disordered gambling – a claim often used as a key argument against gaming expansion. To bolster their argument, opponents frequently cite a statistic from a National Opinion Research Center (NORC) study, which was submitted to the congressionally mandated National Gambling Impact Study Commission in 1999. According to the study, prevalence rates of pathological and problem gambling double within a 50-mile radius of a casino. This may seem like a reasonable assertion. But, after close inspection of the NORC study’s deeply flawed methodology, it cannot be accepted as a valid conclusion. In fact, a report developed for the European Commission – the executive branch of the European Union – undermines the entire NORC study. In particular, it impeaches the oft-cited proximity finding, which was identified only after combining results from various data samples. Published in 2006, the report for the E.U. highlights the NORC study as an example of how political considerations can influence research on problem gambling. It explains: "Under pressure from the National Gambling Impact Study Commission, NORC increased the sample size of (more...)

[Featured Posts] Reaching a New Low

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 22:23:00 GMT

At best, it’s an absurd hypothesis propped up by tenuous results. At worst, it’s vitriolic anti-gaming propaganda. Earlier this month, a new book from John Kindt, a well-known gaming opponent, made headlines across the country. In it, Kindt purports to prove that casinos pose a threat to national security and military readiness. The gaming industry, he says, is a “haven that fuels and finances terrorism.” If such claims seem utterly outrageous, that’s because – quite frankly – they are. Kindt has long suggested that casinos threaten our country’s security, and his latest book is little more than a rehash of the same dated research and the same tired arguments he’s relied on for years. In fact, more than 10 years ago, he presented similar claims to the Congressionally-mandated National Gambling Impact Study Commission. Not surprisingly, they were rejected as baseless conjecture. As part of his latest publicity tour, Kindt has seized on the current economic distress in this country, arguing that casinos hurt the national economy, therefore weakening the country’s military defenses. Kindt bases his claims on the illogical theory that, because casinos don’t create tangible products, they don’t contribute to the national economy. But the gaming industry is no different than (more...)

[Featured Posts] Left Behind: An Open Letter from Frank Fahrenkopf, president and CEO of the American Gaming Association and Roger Dow, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association

Fri, 27 Feb 2009 16:03:00 GMT

Bailouts, stimulus packages and tax breaks. Washington and the nation are focused on saving and creating jobs, except when it comes to the travel and hospitality industries. Those who work in these industries – flight attendants, hotel desk clerks, food service employees – can’t help but feel they have been left behind. Newspapers are headlining the controversy over business travel, and talk radio pundits and television experts spent last week arguing over the merits of business meetings and conventions. Still others are debating which business travel locations are appropriate and which are not. What has been missed in the frenzy is the fact that many families’ livelihoods are being jeopardized in the process. Making business travel for meetings and conventions the symbol of corporate misspending is putting at risk more than 1 million jobs (some 300,000 in the gaming entertainment industry alone) and $16 billion in tax revenue – tax revenue that can stimulate the economy. Meetings, events and incentive travel are smart, cost-effective ways to retain and develop employee talent, build engagement, generate ideas and share knowledge. Even the members of our two political parties, with annual visits to places such as the Greenbrier, W.V., or Maryland’s Eastern Shore, recognize (more...)

[Featured Posts] A Look at the Year Ahead

Tue, 27 Jan 2009 15:01:00 GMT

By T.J. MatthewsChairman and CEO, International Game TechnologyChairman, American Gaming Association 2009 will be a challenging year, both for the gaming industry and for our country. The economic recession continues to intensify. Consumer confidence and spending – two key barometers of economic health – have declined dramatically. The credit freeze has stalled development projects from coast to coast, and industries in every area of the economic spectrum have been hit hard. However, despite sagging revenues, 2009 holds promise for the gaming industry. On Election Day, gaming made significant gains; voters in Maryland approved a measure legalizing slots, and Colorado and Missouri citizens voted to expand gaming operations in their states. In addition, the new administration is advocating for the release of the second half of the Treasury’s $700 billion bailout fund. That money is supposed to restore some liquidity to the financial markets, and since gaming is a capital-intensive industry, access to credit is vitally important. Weathering the economic storm is the gaming industry’s top priority in 2009. As the new chairman of the American Gaming Association (AGA), I will be working to ensure our member companies – gaming operators and manufacturers alike – are well-positioned to ride out the current recession. How (more...)

[Featured Posts] Getting Real about Gambling

Mon, 12 Jan 2009 14:41:00 GMT

There they go again. During a time of tremendous economic uncertainty – a time when people are hungry for solutions – some gaming critics seem to value their own social agendas above jobs and economic growth. They are trotting out old, discredited anti-gaming rhetoric with a new twist – claiming that the gaming industry slowdown is proof that casinos are bad economic bets. Using that standard, however, one could say pretty much the same thing about the entire economy. What’s their end game? Having failed miserably in the past to put casinos – proven and valuable contributors to our nation’s economy – out of business, gaming opponents see this as another opportunity. But their success would cost hundreds of thousands of jobs at a time when the nation desperately needs more jobs, not fewer. It also would significantly hinder the nation’s economic recovery. Here’s why. The commercial casino industry has been – and remains today – an enormously positive economic engine, creating direct employment for more than 354,000 people (and an additional 450,000 jobs in related businesses). Every year, industry employees bring home $14 billion in salaries, individual benefits and tips to support their families and invest in their communities. Additionally, casinos (more...)

[Featured Posts] A Look at How the Struggling Economy Impacts the Gaming Industry

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 17:42:00 GMT

Today’s volatile economic climate is stoking fears in individuals, companies and industries from Wall Street to Main Street. The gaming industry is no exception, but, interestingly, there are mixed results across the country. While some gaming markets struggle, others are posting modest gains. The current economic situation is complex and fluid, and casino revenue reports vary from state to state. As with the broader economy, the commercial casino industry began to feel the effects of the current economic downturn in the second half of 2007 following the collapse of the housing market and a widespread decrease in consumer spending. Although the industry continued to expand in some states, such as Iowa and Pennsylvania, gaming revenues began to stall elsewhere. 2008 continues to pose economic challenges for the industry. The sagging national economy, significant job losses, high gas prices and myriad more problems are forcing consumers to cut their budgets to stay afloat. Tightening capital markets are applying increased pressure to commercial developers across the country. In Nevada, statewide gaming revenues dropped substantially this summer. Through July, revenues were down 6.6 percent when compared with the first seven months of 2007. In Las Vegas, on the Strip, gaming revenues were down 6.5 percent. (more...)

[Featured Posts] Pliable Research

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 20:43:00 GMT

We begin this Real Deal with a caveat. There are problem gamblers in America and this commentary is not intended to diminish the importance of the issue. On the other hand, exaggerating the dimensions of the problem distracts from finding solutions. It also provides fodder for those who wrongly claim legal gaming is the source of the problem. For nearly three decades, the debate over the prevalence of problem gambling could best be summed up by a Mark Twain quote: “Facts are stubborn things, but statistics are more pliable.” It seems when it comes to problem gambling, research can sometimes fall into the “pliable” category. For example, a little more than a decade ago, some “research” claimed to prove conclusively that upwards of 13 percent of American adults were problem gamblers. Well, as it turns out, after literally dozens of studies, problem gambling is somewhat less common than that. Say, one-thirteenth as common – in fact, only about 1 percent of the population can be classified as pathological gamblers and only another 2 percent or so experience problems gambling. Recently, two new research claims have surfaced: First, according to a new study from Wayne State University, “urban elderly” are at “high risk” for (more...)

[Featured Posts] Like A Good Neighbor

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 19:00:00 GMT

You might not be able to borrow a cup of sugar from a casino, but they certainly are the type of neighbor who can contribute to the community in other important ways that can be just as sweet. Ask the citizens of Pennsylvania – commercial gaming’s newest jurisdiction – who are learning first-hand about the positive benefits of casinos, according to two recent news articles. Last week, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette checked in with the community surrounding the one-year-old Meadows Racetrack and Casino in Washington, Pa., to get a status report on how the casino is faring with its new neighbors. Here’s what the paper had to say: “Locals haven’t seen a downside to the [Meadows Racetrack and Casino], which is credited with contributing $8 million to Washington County for local projects last year plus more than $2 million for North Strabane, where it is located.” The article – “Casino seen as ‘win-win’” – quotes local business owners, community officials and homeowners whose properties border the casinos, and who seem to agree with North Strobane Manager Frank Siffrin: “You couldn’t ask for a better neighbor.” Addressing questions about the supposed ill effects of a casino coming to town, Washington Country Commissioner J. Bracken (more...)

[Featured Posts] A History Lesson

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 21:46:00 GMT

Would you believe the “objective” findings of a scientist who would say of the subject he is researching, “It’s all about addicting new gamblers who will lose everything they have…”? That’s exactly what John Kindt said about casinos in a recent edition of the Akron Beacon Journal. Kindt has become the patron saint of the anti-gaming movement. His statistics on the “social costs” of casinos are repeated loudly and often. However, how can a person, who from day one has been so virulently anti-gambling, be trusted to develop honest information? He can’t. Kindt’s social cost assertions are based on statistics he developed claiming that for every dollar generated by casinos the cost to society is three dollars. Casino opponents use that statistic as if it were handed down from on high. Were it true, it would be a devastating indictment of casino expansion. But is it? Judge for yourself. The first citation we have found for Kindt’s assertion was in an article in the Arkansas Law Review Journal in 1994, when the commercial casino industry was still in its infancy. Only two states, Nevada and Atlantic City, could have been considered mature casino markets with enough data for researchers to produce any relevant (more...)

[Featured Posts] Perception vs. Reality

Thu, 20 Mar 2008 13:48:00 GMT

During the current Presidential primary season, the media has consistently been wrong about which candidates voters prefer. Mirroring that political trend are two recent articles that highlight the discrepancy between a pair of reporters’ perception of the casino industry and what the people who actually live in gaming markets think about casinos. Barbara Dreyfuss in The American Prospect and Derrick Jackson in The Boston Globe apparently believe their intuitive wisdom and selective research about casinos trumps the actual experience of those who live in casino jurisdictions. Had these journalists actually talked to local officials, business leaders and residents, they would have been able to present an informed opinion about the impact casinos have on local and state economies: According to Haley Barbour, Governor of Mississippi, with 2006 gaming revenues totaling $845.20 million, casinos in Biloxi “are a very important part of these communities’ fiscal health. But most importantly, the casinos bring people to Mississippi who otherwise wouldn’t come here.” In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, the casinos in Biloxi set up relief funds, continued to provide salary and benefits for their employees while properties were rebuilt and are continuously singled out by community leaders for their recovery efforts. Biloxi Mayor A.J. Holloway (more...)

[Featured Posts] Kentucky Two-Step

Fri, 29 Feb 2008 13:50:00 GMT

Casinos have a tremendous impact on state and local economies, so much so that several states, including Kentucky, are considering some form of gaming entertainment as a means of spurring economic development. As the Kentucky state legislature considers the introduction of casinos, the state’s two major newspapers have recently run editorials by a coalition opposing casino legislation without providing its readers with all the facts. John Mark Hack, the public face of Say No to Casinos, was recently given a platform to air his version of the facts: On Jan. 10, the Louisville Courier-Journal ran his editorial “Casinocrats tout the benefits of gambling, but avoid the costs.” On Jan. 22, the Lexington Herald-Leader ran “Analyze casino costs, benefits,” also by Hack. The pieces were exactly the same. While Hack is certainly entitled to his opinion, he is not entitled to his own facts. And while the papers are entitled to print what they want, it is astonishing that the Herald-Leader would run the exact same piece as the Courier-Journal. One would think that they would prefer to publish original pieces instead of something another newspaper had already printed. Especially when the piece relies mostly on speculation. The readers of the newspapers in (more...)

[Featured Posts] Seniors and Gaming

Tue, 04 Dec 2007 11:05:00 GMT

Casinos are a popular form of entertainment for senior citizens all across the country. There are critics out there who take issue with how seniors spend their time. Maybe they should talk to Mary Dale McClintock. She has lived in Mobile, AL, for 35 years. She’s retired from her job in the Circuit Court, keeps in touch with her four children, eight grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren by email, and looks forward to her monthly trips to the casinos in Biloxi. If the critics talked to seniors, what they would learn is very much what Mrs. McClintock said in this letter to the Mobile Press Register. Dear Editor, When I was a young girl, I could hardly wait for Saturday afternoon to come. My mother drove downtown to shop, and I was allowed to spend a couple of hours in the dark watching my favorite cowboy movie and the next episode of the current cliff hanger. I got my 5-cent box of popcorn and a Popsicle and gave my nickel to the cashier for my ticket. I would watch the movie twice if I wanted to. It was really a wonderful extravagance in the days of the Depression. Those days are only long-lost memories. (more...)

[Chairman's Corner] Stop Demonizing Gaming Destinations

Fri, 27 Feb 2009 18:41:00 GMT

The recent crusade against business travel among lawmakers and the media is having a drastic impact on communities across the country. And as Chairman of the American Gaming Association, I find it hard to reconcile the idea that gaming destinations in particular are being demonized. Many gaming communities include state-of-the-art convention facilities that once attracted millions of visitors per year. These communities established themselves as premier meetings destinations not because they provide some overindulgent atmosphere, but because they provide a good value. Las Vegas has grown to be the #1 convention city in the country because it offers world-class convention and meeting facilities at a fraction of the cost of other destinations, with thousands of affordable hotel and dining options just outside the meeting room door. In these economic times, that kind of value is more important than ever, but now businesses are scared to come to Las Vegas because of the perception that they are somehow being wasteful. It just doesn’t add up. What’s even more distressing is that these decisions have a real impact on real people whose livelihoods depend on a healthy flow of business travel. Casino employees, hotel managers, retail clerks, restaurant managers – everyone feels the pinch. (more...)

[Chairman's Corner] Let's Help Problem Gamblers

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 19:45:00 GMT

By Gary Loveman, chairman, president and CEO of Harrah's Entertainment and chairman of the AGA from 2007-2008 Let me begin by making it clear: The gaming industry is committed to working with researchers, treatment professionals, government agencies, and others who share our commitment to reducing the harms associated with problem gambling. All of the major companies in our industry have for years taken this approach, instituting extensive responsible gaming programs. We all agree that one problem gambler is one too many. In addition to individual company initiatives, the industry has worked together on this issue, providing, among many other things, $22 million since 1996 to fund research and public education on disordered gambling, committing to a Code of Conduct for Responsible Gaming and establishing education programs to help our employees and patrons. This Real Deal shows that the relationship between the availability of gambling and the prevalence of gambling problems is not a simple hydraulic one. The fact is, conventional wisdom on this subject turns out not to be particularly wise. As you can see from the chart in this Real Deal, three decades of research show that, despite the dramatic growth in access to casinos (the chart doesn’t even include Native American casinos) and (more...)

[Chairman's Corner] Success in Pennsylvania

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 18:57:00 GMT

By Gary Loveman, chairman, president and CEO of Harrah's Entertainment and chairman of the AGA from 2007-2008 It’s now official: legalized gaming in Pennsylvania is delivering on its proponents’ promises of economic development and tax relief. I am always fascinated by the reactions of people in emerging gaming jurisdictions when they finally see the impact of new casinos. There is nothing like real experience to trump predictions of gloom and doom. The facts show that casinos bring many benefits to their communities. They create good-paying jobs with excellent benefits and the potential of long-term careers. The capital investment involved in building and maintaining a casino creates a ripple effect that benefits businesses throughout a community. And, casinos improve property values and economic opportunity for all segments of a community. What people in Pennsylvania are learning has been repeated time and again over the last two decades. Joliet, Illinois, for example, was never much of a visitor magnet. Now that it has a casino, thousands of new people come in every day, bringing business not only to the casino, but to virtually everyone else who has something to sell: restaurants, car dealerships, theaters, retail stores, and on and on. The casino acts as an engine (more...)

[Chairman's Corner] What Research Shows, Experience Confirms

Tue, 04 Dec 2007 11:30:00 GMT

By Gary Loveman, chairman, president and CEO of Harrah's Entertainment and chairman of the AGA from 2007-2008 Welcome to The Real Deal’s Chairman’s Corner. As chairman of AGA’s Board of Directors, I am looking forward to using this forum to share with you my insights on the issues and news surrounding the gaming entertainment industry. Each time a new entry is posted on the Real Deal’s main page, I will offer my take on the topic here. So without further delay, this first entry in the Chairman’s Corner examines the topic of seniors and gaming. My attention was recently called to a letter by Mary Dale McClintock, which was published last month in the Mobile Press Register, and is featured in the inaugural edition of The Real Deal. Ms. McClintock’s personal endorsement of our industry converted the intellectual understanding I have of the benefits commercial casino gaming activities offer the elderly into a very “personal” one. Ms. McClintock, like 99 percent of senior Americans who choose to visit casinos, finds her outings to be positive and recreational, providing a fun and entertaining social outlet, whether or not she gambles. The fact is, there is a growing body of research indicating that regularly taking part (more...)

[Correcting the Record] Letter from Joseph Corbo to the Boston Globe

Thu, 20 Mar 2008 13:44:00 GMT

Derrick Jackson's March 4 column "The ills casinos bring" mischaracterizes Atlantic City and the gaming industry.

New Jersey's casino industry is an economic engine for the entire state. Our industry generates billions of dollars in capital investment and tax revenues, employs more than 60,000 people who earn good salaries with benefits, and purchases $2.2 billion annually in goods and services from New Jersey businesses.

The tax revenues we generate benefit New Jersey's senior and disabled citizens through a prescription drug assistance program. Millions of dollars of our tax revenues have funded the redevelopment of blighted areas throughout the state. In Atlantic City alone this investment has spurred hundreds of millions in housing and other strategic projects that are helping to make the city an attractive place to live, work, and raise a family.

Atlantic City is a markedly better place today than it was 30 years ago when the first casino opened. However, the best is yet to come, with billions of dollars of capital investment poised to be invested in the city that will have a similar positive multiplier effect both locally and throughout the state.

Joseph A. Corbo Jr.
President
Casino Association of New Jersey
Atlantic City

[Correcting the Record] Letter from Mayor A.J. Holloway to the Boston Globe

Thu, 20 Mar 2008 13:41:00 GMT

A column of opinion by Derrick Z. Jackson in your March 4 issue questions the impact of casinos in Las Vegas, Atlantic City and Biloxi, and references my city’s recovery from Hurricane Katrina. “It is unclear what casinos change,” the column says. I cannot speak to what is best for communities across this country, but the casino resort industry in Biloxi has had a profound and positive impact on Biloxi, a city that was enjoying the most prosperous time in its 300 years until Katrina struck on Aug. 29, 2005. Our recovery is progressing, quicker in some areas than others, but it is progressing. Some areas of our city will never be the same, given the increased cost of construction, insurance and new flood elevations, but we’re going to build back better than before. We’re calling it the Reviving the Renaissance initiative, which reminds residents and others of the things we were doing correctly before the storm. What can casinos change, you ask? Here’s our 15-year track record: We created 15,000 jobs, which offered opportunity for everyone, and, yes, those jobs were some of the first to return after Katrina. We hadn’t built a new public school between 1960 and 1992, but in the decade and (more...)

[Correcting the Record] Casinos Have Been Vital Partners

Tue, 18 Mar 2008 20:16:00 GMT

If Derrick Jackson had bothered to talk with anyone actually living in a casino community for his recent article (“The ills casinos bring,” March 4, 2008), he would have seen that the casinos in Mississippi, New Jersey and Nevada are vital partners in these states’ economic redevelopment – a partnership mirrored in communities across the country. Instead, Jackson conveniently blames casinos for each state’s supposed shortcomings, arguing existing casinos have just not brought enough change. In fact, casinos reduce welfare payments and unemployment rates, lower local residents’ tax burden and create infrastructure improvements that otherwise wouldn’t be possible. How’s that for the status quo? Jackson criticizes casinos for their capital investments in Atlantic City and Las Vegas, but reinvesting in host communities creates new jobs, stimulates the local economy and revitalizes local tourism. That’s commitment lots of other industries can’t claim. Nowhere has that commitment been stronger than along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, casinos set up relief funds, continued to provide salary and benefits for their employees while properties were rebuilt, and are continuously singled out by community leaders for their recovery efforts. Actual research would have turned up these facts, but clearly facts weren’t the (more...)

[Reliable Sources] The Economic and Fiscal Impact of the Ohio Jobs and Growth Plan: Analysis of the Four Proposed Ohio Casinos

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 17:11:00 GMT

This study examines the potential economic and fiscal impacts of the proposal to build and operate a casino in each of Ohio’s four largest cities: Cincinnati, Columbus, Cleveland and Toledo. Findings indicate that the casinos will generate nearly $11 billion in total economic impacts and more than $4 billion in fiscal revenue for the state of Ohio during construction and the first five years of operation.

[Reliable Sources] Links between Casino Proximity and Gambling Participation, Expenditure and Pathology

Thu, 07 May 2009 20:08:00 GMT

This research report analyzes findings from two studies that investigated the relationship between casino proximity and gambling participation, spending and pathological behaviors. Results indicated a positive link between casino proximity and gambling participation and spending, but no link between proximity and the prevalence of gambling programs.

[Reliable Sources] Understanding the Influence of Gambling Opportunities: Expanding exposure models to include adaptation

Thu, 07 May 2009 20:04:00 GMT

Conventional wisdom holds that the expansion of gambling relates to increases in gambling-related problems among the population (i.e., the exposure effect). This research report reviews a wide range of empirical evidence to determine the accuracy of this wisdom. Results suggest that, after initial exposure to gaming facilities, some people adapt to the risks and hazards of gambling (i.e., the adaptation effect).

[Reliable Sources] Study of Gambling Services in the Internal Market of the European Union

Thu, 07 May 2009 19:43:00 GMT

To obtain a detailed overview of gambling activities throughout the European Union, the Swiss Institute of Comparative Law initiated a thorough investigation of the sector. The study is the result of nearly two years of work, and it provides an analysis of the sector’s economic development and of the legal regimes governing it.

The fifth section of the study, Economic Study Part 2, takes a close look at the findings from a 1999 National Opinion Research Center (NORC) research report on gambling. It demonstrates how the NORC report’s flawed methodology was influenced by U.S. politics.

[Reliable Sources] The Persistence of Pseudo-Facts in the U.S. Casino Debate: The Case of Massachusetts

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 22:20:00 GMT

This study shows how erroneous information led gaming opponents in Massachusetts to craft their argument against casinos in the state. According to the study, “In Massachusetts, the use of exclusionary pseudo-facts was coupled to the systemic dissemination of diversionary pseudo-facts. While unfairly dismissing the governor’s revenue and jobs projections as biased, inflated, or unsupported by ‘independent’ research, three diversionary pseudo-facts were disseminated to further confuse and clutter the casino debate among state legislators and the general public. Legislative opponents of the governor’s casino proposal argued that his jobs projections were illusory, because casinos do not generate “real” economic growth, but merely divert economic activity from existing local businesses to out-of-state gambling corporations. Thus, with no net economic growth, the exorbitant cost of regulating casinos would actually cost the state revenues, while the introduction of a casino culture would discourage business investment in other sectors of the economy and thus cost jobs in the long run. This was a logically coherent set of arguments except that each step in the argument was based on pseudo-fact.” (p.325)

[Reliable Sources] Casino Revenues and Retail Property Values: The Detroit Case

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 22:17:00 GMT

This study explores the impact of casinos in Detroit on other businesses as well as property values in the area. According to the study, “Accounting for property characteristics and proximity to the casinos, casinos are found to have a significantly positive influence on retail property values. The effect is stronger within a 5-mile radius of the casinos, suggesting that casinos have a complementary, rather than substitution, effect on other businesses. This provides some of the first micro-level empirical evidence to support the ‘drawing power’ of casinos and the impact of consumer spending on surrounding businesses. The model developed and tested in this study can be applied to other casino jurisdictions to gain further evidence on the impact of commercial casinos.” (Abstract)

[Reliable Sources] Rolling the Dice? Casinos, Tax Revenues, and the Social Costs of Gaming

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 22:12:00 GMT

This study used trend line and regression analyses to measure casinos’ impacts in three states – Michigan, Indiana and West Virginia (as well as in Ohio, a bordering state). The study reported, “No significant negative changes in unemployment, bankruptcy or crime rates after casinos opened.” The researchers hope to provide voters and elected officials with, “important information from which to weigh the fiscal gains from casinos to determine if the benefits are attractive enough to warrant what is found to be a small risk of very modest (or no) increments in some selected social problems.” (p.367)

[Reliable Sources] DSM-IV pathological gambling in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 20:38:00 GMT

For this study, data from the U.S. National Comorbidity Survey Replication, a nationally representative U.S. household survey, were used to assess lifetime gambling symptoms and pathological gambling along with other DSM-IV disorders. The study found that lifetime problem gambling is not particularly common. Pathological gambling is significantly associated with being young, male and African American.

[Reliable Sources] Comorbidity of DSM-IV pathological gambling and other psychiatric disorders: Results from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 20:36:00 GMT

This study investigates possible links between pathological gambling and other psychiatric disorders, ultimately finding that almost three-quarters of pathological gamblers have an alcohol use disorder; more than 38 percent have a drug use disorder; and more than 60 percent have a personality disorder.

[Reliable Sources] Updating and refining prevalence estimates of disordered gambling behaviour in the United States and Canada

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 20:24:00 GMT

This study updates prevalence estimates of gambling-related disorders in the United States and Canada, identifies differences in prevalence estimates among population segments and investigates changes in prevalence over the previous 25 years. The study found a pathological gambling prevalence rate of 1.9 percent and determined that youth experience problem gambling at a higher rate than adults.

[Reliable Sources] Pathological Gambling: A critical review

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 20:21:00 GMT

This book explores gambling in America, examining the diverse and frequently controversial issues surrounding the definition of pathological gambling. It also investigates the disorder’s social characteristics; economic consequences; and co-occurrence with disorders such as alcoholism, drug abuse and depression. The book discusses the role of video gaming, Internet gambling and other technologies in the development of gambling problems. Finally, it considers treatment approaches and their effectiveness, from Gambler's Anonymous to cognitive therapy to pharmacology.

[Reliable Sources] Estimating the prevalence of disordered gambling behavior in the United States and Canada: A meta-analysis

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 20:16:00 GMT

This study represents the first comprehensive meta-analysis – a research technique used to review and synthesize a body of research – of disordered gambling prevalence rates in the United States and Canada. This analysis helped researchers establish more precise estimates of the prevalence of problem gambling behaviors and identify factors that may influence those rates. The study found that 1.29 percent of the adult populations of the U.S. and Canada could be classified as having serious pathological gambling problems.

[Reliable Sources] Gambling in America: Final Report of the Commission on the Review of the National Policy Toward Gambling

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 19:55:00 GMT

In 1976, after three years of in-depth research and extensive hearings, the Commission on the Review of the National Policy Toward Gambling issued a report that provided methodologically sound research and recommendations on gambling. The report discusses the growing gaming industry – at the time, only 13 states had lotteries, only two states had approved off-track wagering and there were no casinos outside Nevada – and offers suggestions for regulating gaming activities.

[Reliable Sources] Gambling and the Public Health, Part 1

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 19:52:00 GMT

Part of the NCRG’s monograph series, Increasing the Odds: A Series Dedicated to Understanding Gambling Disorders, this volume includes a history of pathological gambling prevalence rates, as well as examinations of the demographic characteristics of youth gamblers, the health risks and potential benefits for seniors who gamble, and whether increased exposure to gambling increases disordered gambling behavior.

[Reliable Sources] Survey Respondents Share Opinions of Riverboat Casinos in their Communities

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 21:41:00 GMT

In 2007, the Survey Research Center at IUPUI conducted surveys among local residents in Indiana to gauge the community impact of riverboat casinos. After almost 1000 phone interviews with residents of vicinities with riverboat casinos, Barrow found that “for most Hoosiers, the perceived impact of the riverboat casinos is additional revenue for the state” and that “the arrival of the casinos was viewed as a financial windfall for everyone.” Overall, those living in the host communities found that “the benefits outweigh the potential problems.”

[Reliable Sources] The Effect of Casino Gambling on Crime and Quality of Life in New Casino Jurisdictions

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 21:19:00 GMT

This study compared crime rates in eight new casino jurisdictions and tracked opinions of all the local community leaders. While comparing the actual impact of casinos versus perceived impact, Stitt found that the introduction of casinos “[does] not tear the fabric of the community” and that anti-gaming advocates over-exaggerated the crime rates for new gaming jurisdictions. In addition, a majority of community leaders approved of legalized gaming in their community.

[Reliable Sources] Casino Gaming in Massachusetts: An Economic, Fiscal & Social Analysis

Thu, 20 Mar 2008 13:28:00 GMT

The purpose of this study was to provide an objective, third-party analysis of the effects of the introduction of casinos in Massachusetts as outlined in the legislative proposal submitted by Gov. Deval Patrick. The report addresses the impacts of casinos on the state economy, finances and societal well-being through an examination of existing casino markets and available research. Among the findings in the report, the introduction of casino entertainment would have a significant impact on employment, welfare participation and transfer payments. The construction of three casinos would generate between 10,000 and 11,500 construction jobs, as well as 17,000 to 21,000 permanent jobs. By studying the demand for gaming in the state, the authors estimated $2.7 in gross gaming revenue, which would create an additional $429 million in state revenue each year in addition to $200 million in licensing fees for each casino.

[Reliable Sources] Casino gambling as a catalyst of economic development: perceptions of residents in new casino jurisdictions

Thu, 20 Mar 2008 13:24:00 GMT

This study surveyed residents in eight gaming communities to gauge their perceptions of casinos as catalysts for economic development. Residents of Sioux City, Iowa; Alton, East Peoria and Peoria, Ill.; St. Louis, St. Louis County and St. Joseph, Mo.; and Biloxi, Miss. participated in a phone survey that assessed whether residents perceived that the presence of casinos had a positive or negative impact on local economies. According to the survey results, citizens’ perceptions of casinos are positive, and the vast majority of residents find casinos to be a catalyst to economic development. Further, residents have not perceived that the legalization of casino gambling has created a substitution effect or the closure of other local businesses due to competition from casinos.

[Reliable Sources] Spill-Free Gaming: Connecticut's Casinos Generate Few Adverse Spillover Effects

Thu, 20 Mar 2008 13:20:00 GMT

This study examines Census and other data from before and after casinos were introduced in Connecticut to determine the accuracy of predictions that casinos would create a host of social problems. Comparing data from 1990 and 2000, the author measured whether the presence of casinos created a “spillover effect,” or increase in crime rates, traffic congestion and housing prices in the surrounding communities of Ledyard and Montville, Conn. The author found that crime rates in both communities decreased between 1990 and 2000 and that the opening of the casinos did not trigger more crime. An examination of traffic congestion and housing prices revealed similar results. The rate of traffic accidents decreased, although traffic itself increased significantly due to the influx of casino jobs and visitors. Housing prices in Ledyard and Montville increased so dramatically between 1990 and 2000, compared to the rest of the state, that the presence of casinos likely has been a boost to property values.

[Reliable Sources] Community Leaders' Perceptions of Gaming Industry?s Effects

Fri, 29 Feb 2008 14:10:00 GMT

This paper analyzed results of a survey of among 201 local community leaders in jurisdictions with commercial casino gaming. The results indicate that elected officials and civic leaders in gaming communities across the country have an overwhelmingly positive view of the impact of casinos in their community. According to the survey, community leaders in gaming jurisdictions have significantly higher perceptions than those of some policymakers and gambling opponents of the economic impact of casinos. The paper found that those community leaders who are closest to the issue and best understand the benefits and costs associated with casino gaming remain strongly favorable toward the decision to bring casinos to their communities.

[Reliable Sources] The Regional Economic Impacts of Casino Gambling: Assessment of the Literature and Establishment of a Research Agenda

Fri, 29 Feb 2008 14:09:00 GMT

This study, sponsored by the National Gambling Impact Study Commission, reviewed more than 100 studies undertaken to determine the economic impact of casino gaming. According to the research, the evidence indicates that the impacts of the construction, operation, and taxation of casinos are significantly positive on regional economies. The author concluded that a new casino will yield positive economic benefits to its host economy and added that most casino markets are not yet saturated. The study found that analyzing the economic impact of a new casino is similar to analyzing the impact of a new retail center or entertainment complex in a region.

[Reliable Sources] Impacts of Detroit's Casinos on the Local Economy

Fri, 29 Feb 2008 14:07:00 GMT

In a study on the impact of the three casinos in Detroit on the local economy, the authors found that the casinos are significant contributors to tourism activity in the community. They have attracted tourists and generated new money for the local economy, generated taxes and employment, and contributed to other community tourism-related businesses. The study estimates that in 2002, casino visitors contributed more than $104 million to the local economy outside the casinos. According to the study, crime volume did not increase in Detroit following casino gaming development. In addition, bankruptcy filings did not increase a year after the casinos opened.

[Reliable Sources] Measuring the Economic Benefits of the Casino Industry on the Louisiana Economy

Fri, 29 Feb 2008 14:06:00 GMT

This report examines the economic benefits on state and regional economies of the 14 riverboat casinos and one land-based casino operating in Louisiana. According to the survey, casinos have had a tremendous impact on regional economies in the state, with nearly 38,000 jobs created and nearly $868 million in household earnings. Since casinos began operating in Louisiana in 1993, they have spent $2.8 billion on capital in addition to taxes and fees paid to the state. Additionally, the casinos have made $34.6 million in charitable contributions since 1993.

[Reliable Sources] Casino Gaming and Local Employment Trends

Fri, 29 Feb 2008 14:02:00 GMT

This study explores how corporate casinos affect household and payroll employment rates in six gaming counties: Warren County, MS; Tunica County, MS; St. Clair County, IL; Massac County, IL; Lee County, IA; and St. Louis County, MO. According to the study, the commercial casino industry has had an overall positive affect on county unemployment rates, as payroll and household employment statistics increased after casinos were introduced into the economic mix. The counties that witnessed the strongest positive impact on the work force according to the study were the four rural counties, particularly those where casinos are a predominant industry.

[Reliable Sources] Gambling Among Older Adults: A Comparative Analysis

Tue, 04 Dec 2007 11:32:00 GMT

This study examined data on gambling behavior and related attitudes gathered from a random sample of community residents in jurisdictions that had recently allowed casinos to open. Comparisons are made between senior and younger adults regarding their gambling behaviors. The results indicate seniors generally exercise better money management and experience proportionately fewer gambling problems than the general population.

[Reliable Sources] Gambling Participation in the U.S.?Results from a National Survey

Tue, 04 Dec 2007 11:31:00 GMT

This study surveyed 2,630 representative U.S. residents over 18 years of age to determine how often they gambled and how much they won or lost in the span of one year. The study analyzed the differences among demographic groups, including by gender, ethnic background and age. Relevant to the topic of seniors and gaming, among the many demographic patterns considered, the study examined problem gambling among age groups. The results show that problem or pathological gambling among seniors (aged 61 or older) was one-third that of the general population. The study also found that rates of gambling in the past year declined significantly with age.

[Reliable Sources] Gambling Participation and Social Support Among Older Adults: A Longitudinal Community Study

Tue, 04 Dec 2007 11:29:00 GMT

Using data from the Monongahela Valley Independent Elders Survey, this study looked at gambling activity among a select group of older adults over a 15-year period. According to this study, casinos and bingo halls offer seniors social situations, therefore providing potentially positive outcomes. The study found that casinos offer a forum of social support to older adults who are often isolated as they age. Per these results, the researchers note that if social interaction and depressive symptoms are associated, older gamblers should have fewer depressive symptoms than non-gamblers because they report having more social opportunities from which to gain support.

[Reliable Sources] Health Correlates of Recreational Gambling in Older Adults

Tue, 04 Dec 2007 11:28:00 GMT

Using survey data from the Gambling Impact and Behavior Study based on interviews with 2,417 American adults, the objective of this study was to assess how past year gamblers age 65 and older compare to those age 18-64 in terms of health and well-being. The researchers found that recreational gambling among the older age group did not contribute to any negative measure of health and well-being. Additionally, the study found that the combined problem and pathological gambling prevalence rate among the older adult group was significantly lower than among the younger adult group – measured at .50 percent compared to 2.43 percent among the younger adult group.

[Reliable Sources] You bet they?re having fun! Older Americans and casino gambling

Tue, 04 Dec 2007 11:27:00 GMT

This exploratory two-stage study of a small sample of older Minnesotans found no evidence that casino gambling activities threaten their well-being. It found there is little empirical research or data to support the idea that casino gambling is particularly harmful to older adults, and that a vast majority of participants chose to visit casinos for non-problematic reasons such as socializing with friends, going to restaurants, seeing shows or wanting something to do. It also found that most participants set gambling budgets, are well aware of the danger signs of problem gambling behaviors and have healthy, responsible perspectives on gambling. The study also suggests that age norms determine the public’s perception of casino gambling as problematic for older people and that public concerns and media images may be based on socially constructed assumptions and fears.

[In Case You Missed It] The Economist's Primer on Gaming in America

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 18:51:00 GMT

“PINPOINTING a precise moment when the world changes is never easy, even in retrospect. Yet it is possible to say with relative confidence that the world of gambling was changed dramatically by events around a green felt table at Binion’s Horseshoe in Las Vegas on May 23rd 2003, the final day of that year’s World Series of Poker (WSOP).”

The above paragraph begins an 11-part series in the July 8 edition of The Economist that provides an entertaining and interesting picture of the gaming industry in the United States. The author attributes the 2003 WSOP victory of amateur Chris Moneymaker over professional Phil Ivey as the event that catapulted gaming into the mainstream of American entertainment.

The report includes interesting tidbits – an excavation of a bronze-age city in south-eastern Iran turned up a pair of dice dating back nearly 5,000 years – and covers gaming from the psychology behind the desire to gamble in a section titled “The Risk Instinct” to an explanation of how slot machines work in the “Cutting Off the Arms” section.

To learn even more about the gaming industry, please contact the American Gaming Association for information and resources.

[In Case You Missed It] Gaming Establishments are Good Community Partners that Bring Jobs and Millions of $$$ to Small Missouri Towns

Wed, 07 Jul 2010 23:03:00 GMT

Though some were uncertain of the potential impact of casinos in Southeast Missouri, local residents and small business owners say they have had a positive effect. An article published in Southeast Missourian reports casinos in Boonville and Caruthersville, Mo., provide jobs – employing more than 850 people – and contribute vital tax revenue to state and local governments.

The casinos “give back to the community in many different ways, with financial support and employee participation in community events, activities and projects,” said Boonville Mayor Julie Thacher. “[The Boonville casino] provides a revenue stream for our city to make needed improvements to aging infrastructure.”

Lance Mansfield, owner of a Caruthersville sporting goods store, said the neighboring casino has helped increase foot traffic at his business. “People will stop here before or after they go to the casino since we’re right here on the corner,” he said.

Thacher and several Caruthersville business owners have not seen an increase in crime since the casinos opened. Mansfield noted, “Our police force is actually bigger now because we have more money going into the city from casinos.”

[In Case You Missed It] Andy Rooney Gets It Wrong on Gambling

Tue, 25 May 2010 16:19:00 GMT

During his 60 Minutes segment recently, Andy Rooney leveled a harsh attack on the gambling industry and a particularly gratuitous criticism of the men and women who make gambling one of the nation’s favorite forms of entertainment. Rooney’s rant has a lot of holes in it, as popular blogger Jodi Beggs points out in her response that was published on The Huffington Post website last week. Beggs criticizes Rooney for wrongly claiming that casinos keep 20 percent of the money wagered, noting that the accuracy of this statement could have been easily verified. She proves this point by offering the correct figures – the house advantage for popular casino games ranges from less than 1 percent (for blackjack) to about 15 percent for nickel slots. She also takes on Rooney for stating that gambling produces nothing while taking from unsuspecting victims. Beggs notes that the industry employs more than 330,000 people who are paid $13.1 billion, and that money circulates into the economy. She further identifies weaknesses in Rooney’s argument by observing that in addition to those directly employed by the industry, “People are put to work in profitable industries and are creating economic value” as suppliers and vendors to commercial casinos. As for (more...)

[In Case You Missed It] Optimism in Gulf Coast Marketplace Encourages Casino Development

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 21:02:00 GMT

A recent article in The Sun Herald ("Rebound from Katrina Continues for Casinos" – April 4) reports heated interest in the prospects for casino development along the Gulf Coast in Mississippi.

According to the article, the Gulf Coast continues to rebound from the ravages of Katrina as well as from the economic downturn, and development in the casino sector is a driver in this comeback. According to reports from the Mississippi Gaming Commission, casino development inquiries during the past month have outnumbered those made during the previous 12 months combined.

Increased charter flights sponsored by local casinos – which were up 187 percent last year – are contributing to the industry’s recovery and sparking renewed interest in investment opportunities.

As you look further into the positive impact of commercial gaming along the Gulf Coast, please feel free to contact the American Gaming Association for additional information or resources.

[In Case You Missed It] Pennsylvania Gaming Expansion Could Lead to 10,000 New Jobs

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 21:09:00 GMT

The introduction of table games in Pennsylvania’s casinos promises to be a win for thousands of job seekers throughout the state.

The state’s commercial gaming operations – which have demonstrated resiliency throughout the economic recession – will grow considerably in 2010. Just last month, Governor Ed Rendell signed a bill that allows casinos to offer blackjack, poker, roulette and dice games to patrons. According to a recent segment for Fox News: On the Job Hunt, State Representative James Wansacz, a member of Pennsylvania’s Gaming Oversight Committee, estimates that the bill will result in as many as 10,000 new jobs.

Though the table games bill will not take effect for six to nine months, its impact already can be felt throughout the state. The Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs plans to expand its workforce by 50 percent in preparation for the introduction of table games. Likewise, the nearby Mount Airy Casino Resort will make more than 200 new positions available. In Pittsburgh, Rivers Casino is planning to hire 350 people.

As you look further into how the commercial casino industry is creating jobs in the troubled economy, please feel free to contact the American Gaming Association for additional information or resources.

[In Case You Missed It] Gaming Manager Among Top 50 Careers in 2010

Tue, 05 Jan 2010 15:53:00 GMT

A recent U.S. News & World Report article confirms what many gaming industry employees already know – that commercial casinos offer some of the most dynamic and rewarding professional opportunities available today.

Gaming managers, who oversee casinos’ daily business operations, were featured in the newly released report, “The 50 Best Careers of 2010.” The article highlights careers in a variety of fields that promise to offer job seekers stability, growth and good pay, even during these uncertain economic times.

According to the report, employment of gaming supervisors is expected to jump 12 percent between 2008 and 2018. Although many commercial casinos took a hit during the recent recession, smart, savvy gaming managers will be in high demand as the industry expands in the coming years.

As you look further into gaming careers or the growth of the industry, please feel free to contact the American Gaming Association for additional information or resources.

[In Case You Missed It] New Casino Already Benefiting Community

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 15:54:00 GMT

Local business owners and community leaders agree that a new casino on Pittsburgh’s North Side is turning out to be a welcome neighbor.

According to a recent article in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, though some North Side residents initially harbored reservations about adding a casino to the local economic mix, their worries were unfounded. Many already are enthusiastically praising the new Rivers Casino for attracting visitors to neighboring businesses and injecting fresh vigor into the community.

John Graf, owner of a North Side hotel, already reported an increase in calls from out-of-town tourists who plan to visit the area. Ann Metzger, co-director of the nearby Carnegie Science Center, said “we’re happy to coexist with [the casino]. We’re very happy with what [it has] done with the riverfront.”

As you look further into how casinos impact local communities and businesses, please feel free to contact the American Gaming Association for additional information or resources.

[In Case You Missed It] Substituting Political Correctness for Good Business Sense

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 16:52:00 GMT

When planning meetings, seminars and conventions, most U.S. businesses are now more concerned about public perception than good value. And tourist destinations like Las Vegas are paying the price.

According to Phil Mulkins’s recent article in Tulsa World, a new public opinion survey from the Association of Corporate Travel Executives heralds a radical departure from basic business principles. In response to intense public scrutiny of corporate spending, 60 percent of companies now avoid holding meetings in perceived resort locations in favor of less leisure-oriented locations, even if rates are better in the resort cities.

Additionally, only 36 percent of survey respondents believe their companies’ approach to business travel will return to normal once the economy recovers.

And yet, as Mulkins points out, meetings, seminars and conventions in tourist destinations are actually good for business. He explains that business trips to Las Vegas or Atlantic City are “not an egregious waste of corporate cash – these places were built to accommodate conventioneers cheaply.” And, despite their reputations as leisure destinations, serious business is conducted in these cities every day.

As you look further into corporate travel issues, please feel free to contact the American Gaming Association for additional information and resources.

[In Case You Missed It] Missouri Problem Gambling Rate Drops

Thu, 29 Jan 2009 20:59:00 GMT

Gambling may be on the rise in Missouri, but disordered gambling is not.

According to an article in The Kansas City Star, new research from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services found that nearly 43.9 percent of Missouri adults gambled in 2007*, up from 31.7 percent in 2004. However, among those who gambled in 2007, only 0.76 percent experienced financial problems as a result of their activities, down from 0.9 percent in 2004.

The research results corroborate a number of national, peer-reviewed studies that have consistently found that approximately 1 percent of adult Americans are pathological gamblers.

The commercial casino industry works tirelessly to promote responsible gaming and help those who experience problems gambling. In Missouri, casinos have partnered with treatment providers and other stakeholders through the Missouri Alliance to Curb Problem Gambling to implement a number of successful responsible gaming programs, such as Operation Bet Smart.

As you look further into the industry's efforts to promote responsible gaming, please feel free to contact the American Gaming Association for additional information or resources.

* The latest statewide data available.

[In Case You Missed It] Casinos are a Driving Force of Detroit's Economy

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 13:50:00 GMT

Some are calling it a reawakening. Detroit – a city once crippled by the shrinking auto industry – is beginning to reclaim its vibrancy. Throughout the downtown area, shops, restaurants and hotels are springing up, and the city’s commercial casinos are helping fuel the revival.

According to a recent article in Successful Meetings Magazine, Detroit’s new casinos are creating thousands of much-needed jobs and diversifying an economy once almost entirely dependent on auto manufacturing. For example, MGM Grand Detroit recently hired roughly 3,000 employees, including many local residents. Likewise, MotorCity Casino’s temporary home in Detroit’s historic Wonder Bread Building will soon be converted into a $300 million resort. MotorCity vice president of hotel operations and Detroit native Randall Villareal says, “It’s a totally different city from five years ago.”

Although the gaming industry – like nearly every industry – is impacted by the fluctuating national economy, one thing remains consistent: Casinos can have a positive, transformative effect on their surrounding communities, as they have in Detroit.

As you look further into the positive economic contributions of gaming in towns and cities across the country, please feel free to contact the American Gaming Association if you need any additional information or resources.

[In Case You Missed It] Commercial Gaming Industry Leader in Minority Employment ? MGM MIRAGE report latest example

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 22:23:00 GMT

Nationwide reports have shown for years that the commercial gaming industry is among the leading employers of minorities, as a percentage of its total employee base. That fact was strongly reinforced earlier this month when MGM MIRAGE executives released impressive employee diversity statistics from the MGM Grand Detroit property. According to that report, 70 percent of MGM Grand Detroit’s 3,000 employees are members of a minority group – 54 percent are African American, nearly 6 percent are Asian, and more than 5 percent are Hispanic. MGM MIRAGE also reported that more than 47 percent of the $216 million the property spent on construction went to minority- or women-owned businesses. These numbers represent an industrywide commitment to hiring minority employees and doing business with minority, women, and disadvantaged business enterprises (MWDBEs). Traditionally, commercial casino companies employ a significantly higher percentage of minorities than the U.S. national workforce. The commercial casino industry also actively works to promote diversity in both hiring and procurement through programs such as: An industrywide Diversity Resource Guide focused both on helping casino companies advance diversity in hiring and procurement, and on providing MWDBEs with the necessary tools to help them take the first steps to working with or in (more...)

[In Case You Missed It] Las Vegas Bets Big on Green Building

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 19:40:00 GMT

Originally disseminated on April 15, 2008

Las Vegas is going green. So green, in fact, that it could soon be home to the world’s largest concentration of environmentally friendly hotel rooms, according to a recent article in The Toronto Star. A total of 15 major new building projects in Las Vegas are currently seeking the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Environment and Energy Design (LEED) Certification.

According to The Star, some of Las Vegas’ most anticipated new projects are among those seeking LEED certification. These properties are incorporating a variety of eco-friendly features, from an on-site power plant and garden roofs to super-insulated windows and low-flow showerheads.

And while the upfront costs of sustainable development are greater than those associated with traditional development, going green is good for business in the long run. According to The Star, developers of the Las Vegas properties seeking LEED certification can expect to get back three times the extra cost of constructing environmentally friendly buildings through the efficiencies gained and tax incentives from the state of Nevada.

[In Case You Missed It] Iowa Casinos Contribute $1 Billion to State Economy

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 19:36:00 GMT

Originally disseminated on March 28, 2008

While the lawmakers in states such as Kentucky and Maryland focus on increased tax revenues as the primary reason for the introduction of casinos in their states, other equally important economic factors are often overlooked. Tax revenues represented just one third of the economic contributions made by Iowa casinos in 2007, as reported in a recent article in the Des Moines Register.

According to the Register, the 17 casinos across Iowa contributed $1 billion to the state economy in 2007 in the form of:

$280 million in salaries, wages and benefits for 10,100 employees
$351 million in state, federal and local taxes and fees
$294 million in spending on equipment, supplies and services, 90 percent of which was purchased from local vendors
$80 million in charitable donations and contributions to nonprofit groups and local governments

The impact the Iowa casinos have on employees, local small businesses and nonprofit and government agencies has not been ignored by residents, who must reauthorize the presence of casinos every eight years. In 2002, voters in the counties with casinos approved referendums to continue casino gaming by an average of 74 percent.

[In Case You Missed It] Boston Study Shows Casinos Creat Jobs, Boost Economy

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 19:30:00 GMT

Originally disseminated on March 13, 2008 The Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce has released a new report highlighting the economic impact of casinos in other states and paints a potentially robust economic picture for Massachusetts. “Casino Gaming in Massachusetts” found that the introduction of casino gaming in Massachusetts would bring thousands of jobs and millions of dollars in tax revenue. The Chamber commissioned the study after Gov. Deval Patrick introduced a proposal for three casinos in October 2007. The 129-page study, which studied the impact of casinos in other markets to determine the potential impact of constructing three casinos in Massachusetts, found that: Three casinos would create between 17,000 and 21,000 permanent jobs On average, employees could expect to earn between $36,00 to $44,000 per year Annual gross gaming revenue could reach up to $2.7 billion The proposed casinos would bring in up to $429 million in new state revenue, half of which would go to tax relief The Boston Globe said of the study, “Casinos… are a net benefit for the state” (“Casino study royale”, March 7). The Boston Herald found the results to be “powerful data” which will make anti-gaming arguments “a little tougher to make” (“In numbers game, gov takes the lead”, March 7). (more...)

[In Case You Missed It] Casino employees give back to their communities

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 19:27:00 GMT

Originally disseminated on December 14, 2007 As the Holiday Season approaches, it is important to remember that local casinos and employees have a long history of charitable work and being good citizens within the communities where they live and work. They are active as volunteers and contributors to charity through donations and gaming revenue. David Flaum of the Commercial Appeal in Memphis discussed a recent community service project undertaken by employees of the Gold Strike Casino Resort in Tunica, MS (“Striking Gold”, Nov. 23). In early November, casino employees visited the neighboring community of Jonestown to repair a playground, part of a week-long community service event involving almost 500 Gold Strike workers. Tom Pittman, president and CEO of the Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi, who helped coordinate the event, noted that “people like to work for companies who are improving the quality of life in their communities.” The Allentown Morning Call in Pennsylvania recently ran an editorial which cited similar charitable donations (“…as casinos create jobs and funds for tax relief”, Nov. 13). Mary DiGiacomo Colins of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board said that charitable contributions from casino test nights, before the grand openings, “have placed $555,742 into the hands of worthy organizations.” (more...)

[In Case You Missed It] Commercial casino gaming industry partners with guardians of national security and national pastimes

Tue, 04 Dec 2007 11:26:00 GMT

Originally disseminated on October 20, 2007 Recent articles in The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal describe the partnership between the commercial casino gaming industry and the guardians of our national security and our national pastimes. “From Casinos to Counterterrorism,” a front page article in the October 22 issue of The Washington Post, delineates how technology developed for and employed by the commercial casino gaming industry can be applied to bolster national security. The reporter, Ellen Nakashima, writes that, “On occasion, national security and casino security interests directly intersect” in reference to NORA, or Non-Obvious Relationship Awareness technology, developed for the gaming industry. NORA is a computer database program that analyzes player, vendor and employee data to identify potential cheating or collusion at casinos. This technology has been shared with the Pentagon and the U.S. Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, and the CIA has provided more than $1 million to refine NORA in order to identify and stop corruption at federal agencies. Additionally, the article notes that Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) chip technology developed for and used by the casino industry to track money wagered is being studied by the Department of Homeland security. Nakashima writes that, “[C]ounterterrorism and Homeland Security officials (more...)

[In Case You Missed It] Casino industry is a key to the revitalization of downtown Detroit

Tue, 04 Dec 2007 11:25:00 GMT

Originally disseminated on October 12, 2007 The revitalization of downtown Detroit, which began when the first casinos were opened in 1999, will continue with the commercial casino entertainment industry’s $1.5 billion investment in new and permanent facilities that will add 1,200 upscale rooms and suites to the downtown area. The first of the new luxury casino complexes came online October 2 with the scheduled opening of the new MGM Grand Detroit, a 400-room luxury hotel that includes celebrity-chef restaurants and a 20,000 square-foot spa. In addition to increasing the tax base (there is a 24% tax on all casino revenues), industry analysts and travel experts all agree that Detroit will benefit from increased tourism and additional jobs brought on by the new developments. The two other permanent Detroit casino complexes—MotorCity and Greektown—which also will include amenities such as upscale restaurants and expanded convention facilities, are scheduled to open this year and in 2008, respectively. The Associated Press, The Wall Street Journal and USA Today have taken notice of the developments in Detroit (“Detroit casinos deliver on promises of money and jobs”, September 13, “What Happens in Detroit”, September 26, and “Detroit’s newest model: An MGM Grand”, September 27). The commercial casino (more...)

[In Case You Missed It] Gaming expansion has benefited local economies

Tue, 04 Dec 2007 11:24:00 GMT

Originally disseminated on August 17, 2007 A front page story in USA Today ("Cities gamble on casinos for tax revenue") this week detailed how communities across the country – from Massachusetts to Kansas – are exploring gaming to generate economic benefits. While additional tax revenues have great appeal, communities rightfully also look at the broader economic benefits of casino gaming – benefits that have been repeatedly identified through academic research. Here are a few facts that can help with your articles, should you be reporting on this issue: Tax RevenueCommercial casinos directly employed 366,197 people and provided wages totaling $13.3 billion in 2006. The industry remained a major contributor to state and local economies, generating more than $5 billion in direct gaming taxes. Further details, along with state-specific information, can be found in the AGA's State of the States report. Community BenefitsResearch by the congressionally mandated National Gambling Impact Study Commission confirmed that casino gaming creates jobs and reduces levels of unemployment and government assistance in communities that have legalized it. The University of Chicago's National Opinion Research Center (NORC) Gambling Impact and Behavior Study found that communities closest to casinos experienced a 12-17 percent drop in welfare payments, unemployment rates and unemployment (more...)

[In Case You Missed It] Studies find low pathological gambling prevalence rates

Tue, 04 Dec 2007 11:19:00 GMT

Originally disseminated on August 9, 2007 As Responsible Gaming Education Week continues August 6-10, gaming employees across the country are educating people on the best ways to "keep it fun." Yet, in spite of efforts by the industry, a small percentage of people will develop an addiction to gambling. Most prevalence studies estimate that fewer than one percent to 1.5 percent of the U.S. adult population meet the criteria for the most severe form of gambling disorders, known as pathological gambling. The American Gaming Association cites a prevalence rate close to 1 percent of the U.S. adult population, which derives from a 1997 study conducted by Harvard Medical School's Division on Addictions, which continues to be the most widely referenced prevalence rate in the field. Recently, TIME magazine printed a cover article titled "How We Get Addicted" that referenced the 1997 Harvard Study. The article also put the prevalence rate for pathological gambling in perspective by citing prevalence rates for other addictions, including the 5 percent of the population who are compulsive shoppers and 7.7 percent of the population who are dependent on alcohol or are alcohol abusers. In fact, some recent studies support a lower prevalence rate for pathological gambling, including (more...)

[In Case You Missed It] Gaming and regional recovery in wake of Katrina

Tue, 04 Dec 2007 11:15:00 GMT

Originally disseminated on August 3, 2007 A recent media focus has revealed the contributions made by the casino gaming entertainment industry to the recovery of the Gulf Coast region and New Orleans. USA Today ("Gulf Casinos Hit Revenue Jackpot," Aug. 2) excerpt: "Their return to this region has also bolstered ongoing recovery efforts, as restaurants and hotels have reopened to feed and house the workers. "There's no doubt that (casinos) are the engine driving this train," says Biloxi Mayor A.J. Holloway. "The income coming in has helped us to recover at a quicker pace." Gulf Casinos Hit Revenue Jackpot, by Kathy Chu and Tali Yahalom New York Times ("Casinos Booming In Katrina’s Wake As Cash Pours In," July 16) excerpt: "Casinos in Biloxi, Miss, and New Orleans are doing record business in spite of massive damage inflicted by Hurricane Katrina; Biloxi has 40 percent fewer hotel rooms and only two-thirds as many slot machines as it did before Katrina, but business in gambling halls has reached all-time highs in recent months; Harrah’s New Orleans is on pace for its best year ever..." "'There's been this huge infusion of cash into the local economy,' said Bob Mahoney, the co-owner of Mary Mahoney's Old French House restaurant in (more...)