Quote:
Originally Posted by Jon Dalton
I generally take the opinion that casinos are not an effective renewal strategy. However bigguy makes a valid point that they bring people with money in their pockets. If it were to come up as a possibility, I would have an open mind and come up with an opinion based on evidence.
Do casino patrons spend on food or entertainment in the area, or is it a one stop shop?
What is the impact of parking? Will it feed demand for cheap surface lots that paralyze downtown, or will people pay for underground parking?
Does crime tend to go up with the introduction of a casino? Poor people don't have a monopoly on crime.
Hamilton has had several megaprojects with unintended consequences because they were based on foregone conclusions. On the other hand, we have the space for it. I'm sure they could fit a casino in the vacant part of Jackson Square.
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Casino patrons usually eat in the casino if it has decent options. I get free meal vouchers all the time from the various casino's I go to. But then again most of them are away from urban areas and the options are limited except for places like Niagara where there are alternatives right outside the door.
As for the parking, all casino's around here have their own parking facilities either surface or multi level garages where parking is provided free of charge for people with a players club card. The cards are free to anyone who patronizes the casino.