Casino Development in Massachusetts
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Bay State in Trouble
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is in trouble. As the Big Dig gets closer to completion and the unemployment rate rises in the state, what are lawmakers doing to help boost the economy and close the deficit? Heading into the fiscal year 2005, Massachusetts is facing a record deficit of close to two billion dollars. Lawmakers on Beacon Hill are scrambling for solutions, but seem to be coming up empty handed. With the elections drawing nearer and nearer, and local state contenders vying for seats in the state congress getting more competitive with one another, what can Massachusetts do about this economic crisis. A number of legislators from Massachusetts seem to have a solution to help Massachusetts out of this rut, and boost the struggling economy and job market. That solution is the introduction of legalized gambling and casinos to the state of Massachusetts. The legalization of casinos in Massachusetts would provide the state huge tax profits, provide thousands of jobs to a struggling market, help boost the states lagging tourism sector, drive local business upwards through millions of new visitors each year, and provide everyone (tourists & local citizens) with quality entertainment.
Throughout the twentieth century, legalized gambling has become an excellent source of entertainment. Proponents of gambling argue that casinos provide an outstanding source for job opportunities, direct revenue to state and local governments through taxes and fees, and increased tourism in the surrounding areas. Opponents of the controversial gambling topic focus on the attraction of an unwanted crowd, increased crime rate, and traffic congestion on state and local roadways. Both United States citizens and foreign tourists who want to experience the glitz and glamour of gambling can travel to remarkable Las Vegas or Atlantic City. For many years, Nevada and New Jersey were the headquarters of gambling in North America. However, the corporate gambling world got a facelift on February 15, 1992, when a new casino opened in the New England area that would change the entire legalized gambling world forever. This casino would become the most “fantastic” gambling venue in the world.
A Whole New Ballgame
Foxwoods Resort and Casino, developed by the Mashantucket Pequot Indian Nation, has grown from a small casino to the largest casino in the world. Started in the rural, southeastern Connecticut town of Ledyars, the casino now employs well over 10,000 people and is the largest employer in the state of Connecticut. For years the tribe pushed for the casino, lobbying state and local government on how the casino would have such a great impact on Connecticut. Seeing that there were huge profits to be made in casinos, four years later in 1996, only miles down the road, the Mohegan Tribal Nation opened its Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville. Foxwoods Resort and Casino and Mohegan Sun have seen not only enormous individual success as casino since their openings but have provided New England with thousands of jobs, boost in tourism, and major cash flow for state and local governments. But why is this important to Massachusettss residents? Where do we (Massachusetts) fall into all of this? Can casinos save the state from this economic crisis it is currently in?
And The Craze Begins
The bottom line is that people love to gamble. The success of Las Vegas, the revitalization of Atlantic City, and the huge success of Indian run casinos are not without reason at all. People have a fascination with casinos and gambling. The popularity of the casino is becoming more and more popular everyday. The last few years the casino has become a craze. Las Vegas tourism has been booming in the last five years. In 1998 alone a little over 30 million people visited Las Vegas. Five years later, in 2003 that number grew by over to percent to close to 35 million guests. The amount of money spent in Vegas in 1998 from a little over $24 billion to close to $33 billion in 2003. Huge conventions are being held in Las Vegas at their hotels boosting the states economy in 2003 by $6 billion, which has doubled since 1998. (The Center for Business and Economic Research, UNLV) These facts clearly show that the attraction of gambling and casinos have been on a steady rise the past couple years and it is only getting more popular.
The gambling craze is becoming more and more visible to the American culture. Just take a look what is on TV during the week. There are now reality shows about casinos (The American Casino), TV dramas airing on major networks about casinos (Las Vegas, NBC), and even investigative shows on as well (Court TV & TLC). The most recent craze is that of poker, in particular a game called “Texas No Limit Hold Em.” This has become publicized by the popular TV show called the World Series of Poker that airs weekly on ESPN. Poker is getting national spotlight, with celebrities such as Ben Affleck, Tobey Maguire, Ed Norton participating in tournaments. Professional poker players are becoming national celebrities thanks to TV. There is a lot of money to be made in gambling, and it is about time for Massachusetts to take advantage of this.
Local Residents Cash In
Massachusettss residents, in particular, have fallen in love with Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun. More residents of Massachusetts attend Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun per year than from any other state in the country. Massachusettss residents flock to Connecticut weekly to try their chances at the casino, enjoy the first-class cuisine, relax during a weekend getaway, or maybe even go see a concert. Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun have developed into much more than just casinos. There is so much for people to do at casinos. Even young children now are welcome and can enjoy themselves in arcades, play areas, or movie theaters. Instead of having to drive to Atlantic City or even make a voyage to Las Vegas, Massachusettss residents can easily take a quick two-hour trip from Boston to Foxwoods or Mohegan Sun. And without a doubt, Massachusetts residents are definitely making the trip to Connecticut. Massachusettss residents alone contributed over $800 million dollars last year alone at Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun. (Barrow, 2004, 6.) This number does not even include all of the money spent in other parts of the state by visitors. Dr. Clyde Barrow, professor at UMASS-Dartmouth and director of UMASSs Center for Policy analysis, sums up this “Massachusetts frenzy” simply by stating, “Massachusetts residents are basically writing a $116 million-a-year check to the Connecticut state treasury.” This is tax money that