Local opposition told that Northeast market is saturated

The author is scheduled to speak in Fall River - a MUST ATTEND!

Casino panned by ex-lawmaker

Local opposition told that Northeast market is saturated

Kenneth C. Crowe I, Times Union

By Kenneth C. Crowe II

Updated 10:25 pm, Thursday, May 22, 2014

 

Albany
It's difficult and can seem daunting, but it's possible to fight against casino development and win, an author and former Connecticut congressman said Thursday.

"It's got to start with the grassroots." said Bob Steele, author of "The Curse: Big-Time Gambling's Seduction of a Small New England Town."

"All the casinos do is suck money out of your town, your city," said Steele, who represented eastern Connecticut, the site of the Foxwoods Resort Casino and the Mohegan Sun Casino, in Congress.

Steele was in Albany to speak to people organizing to fight casinos proposed in the Capital Region.

His appearance was sponsored by No Casinos in the Capital District, Occupy Albany, Bethlehem Community Voices and the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany.

"Clearly the deck is stacked against you. Look at the language in the referendum," Steele said about the scene in New York state where four casinos are to be licensed.

But while the odds may seem long, he said, when local residents organize the can win the battle against casinos.

Steele said gambling interests push economic benefits, but they don't last and the health and social negatives are not addressed.

The casino market in the Northeast is becoming oversaturated, he said.

The casino planned for the Capital Region, he said, will not draw in tourists who can opt for the glitz of Las Vegas but will rely on local gamblers.


http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Anti-casino-rally-in-Albany-5497596.php