Are casinos just a house of cards?

Are casinos just a house of cards?

By Susan Williams
Tuesday, October 5, 2010 4:22 PM CDT


The Missouri Gaming Commission recently held hearings for a 13th casino in Missouri to replace the now-failed President.

Critics of the two sites near north St. Louis fear that the Spanish Lake development near the Confluence might negatively affect the environment and that both are too close to four other casinos in the area.

Proponents predict increased tourism, jobs, and added tax revenue for education, veterans' programs and early childhood programs. Casinos promise much to individuals and communities, but what do they really deliver?

Casinos have been promoted widely as saviors of local and state budgets and there is no doubt that they contribute much-needed revenue, but the St. Louis market may be saturated. Casino attendance is down because of the recession, and revenues are not increasing as much as previously. In 2008, the successful "Yes for Schools" campaign to repeal the $500 loss limit promised more money for education, but that has been an illusion.

Casinos provide jobs in an economy that is losing jobs fast. What are these jobs and how substantial are they? Initial construction is a boon for labor, and there are many service jobs. A recent National Public Radio story focused on a college class for dealers in an area where expansion of casinos has created a shortage. Although starting pay seems good, I wonder how you would feel if your child announced, "I want to be a dealer," instead of "doctor, lawyer, teacher, or mechanic?" What will be their next rung on the career ladder - pit boss?


Casinos are a pleasant form of entertainment for many people, some of whom are attracted by free rides, free buffet meals, gifts and of course the dream of winning big money. These dreams overwhelm some people's common sense, which should tell them that the house always comes out ahead. It's shocking to read of welfare recipients cashing public aid checks in casinos, or unemployed workers blowing their unemployment checks in false optimism. Then, the sight of many older folks sitting in smoke-filled rooms feeding their retirement income into slots is disheartening to me.

Finally, there are the problem gamblers who can't stop even if they are winning. The National Council on Problem Gambling estimates that 4-5 percent of gamblers are problem gamblers.

You can read some of their stories at Casino Watch.org. The website offers tales of indebted gamblers exhausting family budgets, borrowing or stealing to pay debts and continue gambling, even committing suicide.

A small percent of casino revenue goes to address problem gambling, but (as for cigarettes and alcohol) far more money is spent to advertise the glamour, fun and promise of gambling.

To me casinos are houses of false illusions and empty promises. The real question about building any new casino is what will be the overall effects on the entire economy (public and personal), on the environment and, most especially, on the psychological well-being of the people who work and play there.

Susan Williams, a resident of Florissant, teaches English as a Second Language to immigrant children. She is married with two grown children and a grandchild. She plays violin with the Clayton Silver Strings, is a member of a library book club, and enjoys hiking, biking, swimming and dancing.