Should Connecticut Biuld Another Casino?

Sirjan Xhurxhi

11 January 2005

Should Connecticut Support the Construction of Another Casino?

Many people believe that another casino in Connecticut would not be a good idea. They think it would harm the society and make many teenagers to be addicted to gambling. However, there is much evidence that shows that another casino in Connecticut would not only support the society and their needs, but also the state government itself. One of the reasons that the construction of another casino in Connecticut should be supported is that casinos provide many jobs for the people. Another reason is that gambling has a key role in the state budget. Casinos can also benefit other businesses and the economy of the state government. The above reasons show that the construction of another casino in Connecticut should be supported.

Casinos are a good source to provide jobs for the people and the entire community. In the article "A Pair of Money Magnets" by Lyn Bixby is said that during the year 2000 about 18.000 people were employed in casinos. In the same article Lyn Bixby reported that one of the most famous casinos in U.S.A, Fox woods has provided thousands of jobs not only for the common people, but also for the ones that had been laid off since the Cold War. These employees are a big reason to believe that casinos hire and provide jobs for many people.

A second reason why the construction of another casino in Connecticut should be supported is that gambling plays a key role in the state budget. According to the article "Is Connecticut Addicted?" gambling money has increased the state budget with $13 million from 1997 until 1998. In the same article is said that "Through a deal cut by Gov. Lowell P. Weicker Jr., the state government gets 25% of the casino win for allowing the tribes to operate slot machines." This explains why the money that the state budget gets from casinos is the fourth biggest source of money for the state. This quote also proves how important casinos are for the state budget. Donald Pepard, an economics professor at Connecticut College in New London, stated "The reason that it's (another casino) so big for this state (CT) is that the vast majority who come here (in CT's casinos) are coming from somewhere else. So we keep their money and they take their problems home..." This means that from casinos Connecticut's state budget