Casino Shills Employed in Boston!

Suffolk Downs is so threatened by residents of surrounding neighborhoods learning the truth about the impacts of Predatory Gambling on their neighborhoods, they are once again resorting to Paid Casino Shills and personal attacks.

How transparent!

Learn the truth, folks!

Sorry, but it's a fact: Casinos hurt local businesses.

Just one month after a casino opened in Ohio, most businesses in the area are reporting flat sales. One restaurant -- a diner directly across the street from the gambling palace -- reported losing an average of $300 per week in sales since the casino opened. Most likely, that will cost a diner employee their job. That's after just one month.

Here, watch the report: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DX9xcTZ3cfo&feature=g-upl

Of course, to anyone who's studied the impacts casinos have on local businesses, this comes as no surprise. What's shocking, perhaps, is how quickly the decline began to set in. Caesars and Suffolk Downs promise that a casino in East Boston will help area businesses. In their heart of hearts, though, they know the truth because the studies are all out there for public consumption:

• 66 percent of independent restaurants closed in Atlantic City after the casinos opened there
• 1/3 of the city's retail businesses have since closed
• Donald Trump: "People will spend a tremendous amount of money in casinos, money that they would normally spend on buying a refrigerator or a new car. Local businesses will suffer because they lose customer dollars to the casinos."

• Casinos divert dollars from local businesses and restaurants, as a result, local towns see no change in overall per capita income after the creation of a casino. 4
• A study on the costs and benefits of casinos found that for every $1,000 in increased casino revenue, businesses up to 30 miles away lost $243.

The casino knows local businesses will suffer. This is why they are preemptively offering to spend $150 million with select local businesses. But this bribe cannot possibly account for a massive decline in business because of the casino's presence or the unfair competition the casino presents with its extended hours and free food, drinks and products.

Small business owners in East Boston or Revere, it is in your best interest (and that of your employees and customers!) to oppose the proposed casino at Suffolk Downs. Do not believe for a minute that this casino will impact you positively.

And in the end -- Boston doesn't need a casino for our hospitality and tourism industry to thrive. We're adding restaurant seats at an unprecedented rate. (even in Eastie) Our hotels remain at 85-90% occupancy. We're doing just fine, thank you.

http://bostonherald.com/news/regional/view.bg?articleid=1061175142&cnum=2&format=comments