Casino Impact on Detroit

[MikeyinBrooklyn]

Jimaz, I understand your point. It was part of my long-time opposition. But I think that problem gamblers would find other outlets for their destructive behavior. Casinos and other gambling would still be ubiquitous even if the Detroit casinos went away. There is online gambling, local charity bingo, lotteries of all kinds, a dozen other casinos in Michigan [[and all the surrounding states) and, of course, a big casino across the river.

For most people visiting a casino, it is part of their recreation/entertainment money. Would I rather see a play or a game & then go out to dinner? Yes. But if someone else would rather blow that same money playing blackjack for awhile, well, that's their business.

[Ray1936]

Reading my post above, I should have said I live in Henderson, NV, the second largest city in Nevada. We consider Las Vegas one of our 'burbs.

[Jimaz]

Jimaz, I understand your point.... But I think that problem gamblers would find other outlets for their destructive behavior....

They most certainly would.

To be fair, at the time the casinos were constructed, there was an air of desperation. The economy had been, was, and seemed likely to continue to be depressed. It seemed there was no alternative but to allow casino construction.

Today, with 20/20 hindsight, it seems the resources expended on creating casinos could have instead been invested in businesses that produce real added value, like <gasp> manufacturing, which remarkably seems to be making a major comeback lately.

‘Full employment' in 33 of 83 counties

Who could have known?

I do recall reading that the social acceptance of gambling rises and falls throughout history. Maybe now that casino patrons have jobs, casinos will slide into obscurity again.

Time will tell.

[softailrider]

Jimaz, I understand your point. It was part of my long-time opposition. But I think that problem gamblers would find other outlets for their destructive behavior. Casinos and other gambling would still be ubiquitous even if the Detroit casinos went away. There is online gambling, local charity bingo, lotteries of all kinds, a dozen other casinos in Michigan [[and all the surrounding states) and, of course, a big casino across the river.

For most people visiting a casino, it is part of their recreation/entertainment money. Would I rather see a play or a game & then go out to dinner? Yes. But if someone else would rather blow that same money playing blackjack for awhile, well, that's their business.

As our fearless leader has stated on occasion " the only way to make money in a casino is to own one"
I probably go to the Detroit casinos 3 or 4 times a year. When I'm up north I'll play there too. I would say I lose most, but certainly not all of the time. It does feel good to walk out of there with some of their money.