Recent headlines in the Buffalo News have been following the renovation of the Niagara Falls Convention Center and the building of a new casino in Niagara Falls as part of an agreement between the Seneca Nation and New York state in hopes of revitalizing the Western New York economy and competing with Canada for tourists. The contract that allows the Niagara Falls casino to be built also calls for a casino to be built in downtown Buffalo. For the residents of Erie County and the City of Buffalo, casino gambling in downtown Buffalo is a raw deal, not the economic salve that the politicians promise. Consider the following points:
Of the most importance to young people who will be entering the workforce, the politicians have promised jobs. Although there will be a handful of administrative positions, most of these jobs will be service sector jobs with the commensurate low wages. In a city that is trying to retain its well-educated young people, the prospect of being a dealer at a casino will not entice young people to stay, or encourage others to move here.
Casino gambling will steal revenues from other local entertainment options. Unlike Niagara Falls, Buffalo is not a tourist destination, and the casino patrons will likely be from the surrounding communities. This means less money to be spent on our theatre district, our local sports franchises, restaurants and bars. Also, the proposed contract allows for the construction of three casinos in the Western New York region. The market would be saturated with gambling outlets. A community of this size cannot support a casino in downtown Buffalo, a casino in Niagara Falls and a third casino while competing with the casinos in Canada.
The promise that the casino will provide economic stimulus and contribute to a revitalization of downtown Buffalo is just a pipe dream. Besides that, the casino threatens to increase gambling addiction rates and increase crime rates, as has happened in other communities after the opening of a casino. Casinos prey on the poor, a population that can ill afford to spend its money on gambling.
A local grass roots organization, Citizens Against Casino Gambling in Erie County, is trying to mobilize what we believe is a silent majority of people in Erie County who also feel that a casino in downtown Buffalo will not bring the economic gains promised to us by the politicians, and in fact, could hurt our already weakened economy. Their Web site is www.nocasinoerie.org. I also urge you to contact your local and state representatives.
