Jim Ukrop column: Rejecting casino can maintain RVA's momentum
$6,000 Welcome Bonus
In 1981, The New York Times published an opinion article entitled “A Case Against Casino Gambling” written by the former head of the Connecticut Gaming Policy Board. He was wary of grandiose promises being made by those backing the state’s first casino project.
There is a referendum to build a casino in Richmond. The city's population is growing at a higher rate than surrounding counties. Foxwoods Resort in Connecticut was built on flashy promises of job creation, tax revenue and a lasting fiscal impact. However, the debt it racked up topped $2.3 billion. Other casinos in states nearby to Virginia like Delaware, Maryland and West Virginia have filed Chapter 11 proceedings in recent years. Casinos attract locals and generate revenue from slot machines. They target vulnerable people. It is not a sustainable model to generate revenues for localities.
The choice is between thoughtful growth and rolling the dice.
