In an editorial published February 21, 2008, the Springfield Republican
emphatically OPPOSED casinos in Massachusetts. They have since blocked access
to that editorial on their web site. (I wonder what could have possibly
persuaded them to change their minds in 2014?) This is their 2008 editorial in
full.
Please share widely . . . .
Casino benefits just fool's gold
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Odds of so-called "resort" casinos delivering busloads of tourists to
attractions outside the perimeter of the gambling complexes are slim to
none.
While supporters of Gov. Deval L. Patrick's proposal to establish three
casinos - including one in Western Massachusetts - say casinos would provide an
overall boost to tourism, that hasn't happened in Connecticut.
Just ask Ledyard, Conn., Mayor Frederic B. Allyn Jr., who governs in the
shadow of Foxwoods casino. Beyond the two Dunkin' Donuts shops along Route 2,
Allyn said, the 45,000 people who visit Foxwoods daily are "not stopping for
anything."
During an interview for The Republican's four-part series "Rolling the
Dice," which concluded yesterday, Allyn complained that the presence of a casino
hasn't helped Ledyard a bit. He said his town of 15,000 residents still
struggles to pave roads and repair infrastructure. Taxes are high - averaging
$10,000 - and have driven many retirees away, he said.
If a "resort" casino were to be built in Palmer, as one would-be developer
proposes, it's unlikely that casino-goers would stray from the confines of the
casino. To suggest that tourists might expand their visit to the region to take
in such attractions as Springfield's Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
or the museums at the Quadrangle is ridiculous.
There's no more unlikely conversation than the following: "Hey, let's hit
the casino, then drive to the Museum of Fine Arts in Springfield, and then go to
the Student Prince for dinner."
We believe in calling a spade a spade. Hopes that casinos will pump up
local economies are false hopes.
There are many reasons why we're opposed to legalizing casino gambling in
the Bay State. Casinos impose social costs that are higher than the financial
benefits. The greatest gain in casino gambling goes to those who own the
casinos, and the greatest loss with casino gambling comes for the people who
wager there but who can least afford it - the elderly and the poor. Chasing
casinos is like chasing fool's gold....
