Adding casinos to mix has proved productive

While the American Gaming Association does not take a position on local gaming issues, we do find it necessary to respond to Donn Esmonde’s July 27 column, “Casino foes pay price of telling truth,” which contained a number of inaccurate statements about the casino gaming industry.

Communities across the country, not just Las Vegas, have found adding casinos to their economic mix has proved productive. According to Biloxi, Miss., mayor, A.J. Holloway, “We’ve been able to improve our quality of life [with the advent of casinos] …” Robert Gilliam of the Elgin, Ill., City Council reported that “[The casino industry] has made us a better community.”

Casinos also have helped create jobs and benefit local businesses. Holloway said about the impact of casino development on businesses that “What happened is the pie got bigger and there was more business for everyone.” Rick Kidder, CEO of the Scottsdale, Ariz., Area Chamber of Commerce, notes that “We’ve seen substantial economic development activity from gaming.” Contrary to the article’s title, numerous studies have debunked the conclusions of the experts the author references. The truth is, citizens in gaming communities have witnessed and appreciate the benefits casino gaming brings.

Frank J. Fahrenkopf Jr.
President and CEO
American Gaming Association