Columbus Ledger-Enquirer
Dear Editor:
It’s no secret that communities across the country are continuing to face tough economic circumstances, including reduced home prices and tax revenues. To imply, however, that these phenomena are somehow exclusive to communities with casinos, as Froma Harrop did in her recent column (“Casinos anything but a jackpot for states,” Nov. 15), is irresponsible and misleading.
Like many other industries across the U.S., the commercial casino industry has confronted new challenges over the past two years in this unprecedented economy. Yet, despite these challenges, a look at the track record of casinos over the past two decades shows the important benefits we offer gaming communities – many of which are not traditional resort destinations.
Even in these tough economic times, casinos still provide good-paying jobs, tax revenues and business opportunities for local vendors – facts Ms. Harrop glosses over in her piece. An examination of the experiences of other gaming jurisdictions shows the positive impact casinos can have for their communities.
For example, last year, Pennsylvania’s casinos employed more than 38,500 people who earned approximately $1.2 billion in wages. They generated more than $426 million in tax revenue, which helped support economic revitalization programs, as well as various social services for senior citizens.
Also in 2008, Iowa’s commercial riverboat and racetrack casinos purchased more than $293 million worth of products and services from companies based in the state. In fact, nearly 92 percent of the total expenditures by Iowa’s casinos on products, supplies and services available in Iowa was spent with vendors in the state.
There is no simple answer to the economic troubles facing the country, but commercial casinos have long provided positive benefits for their communities and will continue to be a constructive and valuable part of local economies in the years to come.
Sincerely,
Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr.
President and CEO
American Gaming Association
