Quote:
Originally Posted by Busy Bee
Yeah, look at those huge crowds of unsquandered wealth!
Seriously though, yes, I think it should go to Times Square. It's the obvious spot for it. TS is already garish and vulgar. A casino is a natural fit. Part of the argument for a HY casino is this conventioneer angle, which I think is misguided. A) not all convention goers are going to gamble, either because of time or values, and B) if conventioneer wanted to gamble they can just walk their ass or (7) train it 4 blocks east.
|
No, not all convention goers are going to gamble. But it is a huge draw to have a casino complex, with all of it's entertainment options, not to mention the large casino hotel, right next to the convention center. It makes the convention center itself more attractive. As it is now, its practically removed from everything else. But not every tourist in Times Square will gamble either. Most people who go into casinos go in to play a few slots, maybe have a drink. Tourist come to New York for so many different reasons. A casino is just one more thing to do. The crowds in Times Square are already there. It's not a question of will they come. The same can be said for Hudson Yards, though, in its incomplete state. With the High Line especially feeding into it, it will be a natural draw, even if that casino is geared more for high end. Most people just want to play the slots for a while.
Anyway, there are two "racinos" operating in the immediate area, one just outside the city limits and one in. They generate LARGE amounts of money for the state, and they aren't even geared towards tourists. Considering that angle alone, the question before the state is, do we want income generated from 5 New York City area casinos, or just 3? Because the two racinos won't close. They will continue to operate, and can even make some of the improvements they have put forward in their proposals. Could they see
some drop off? Sure. They will still make and generate crazy amounts of money for the state. As I said, most people just want to play a few slots, it makes no difference what kind of casino it is, or who has what license. And then, there are the development/employment considerations, which are big game changers.