Miami Student

Issue date: 10/16/07 Section: OpEd Page

Katelyn Hawthorne/The Miami Student

I was traveling along Interstate 90 near Cleveland when out of my peripheral vision I caught a billboard sign advertising Casino Windsor in Ontario. A lackluster industrial Canadian city across the river from Detroit, Windsor is not a remarkable destination in any sense. Windsor has suffered-like so many Rust Belt cities in America-from a depressed industrial sector once leading to rising unemployment and economic stagnation. And yet this unassuming southern Canadian town with has become a prime tourist location for many Ohioans.

Of course, the reason for any tourism in Windsor lies in legalized casino gambling. Casino Windsor opened its doors in 1993 and instantly became a one-day travel destination for Americans looking to play craps or slot machines. Coach buses full of American retirees flock to Windsor to spend portions of their retirement money on nickel slot machines and low minimum blackjack tables. Casino Windsor generates revenue between $400 and $500 million a year. Legalized gambling has been so successful that the Ontario government plans on expanding Casino Windsor-all the while creating investment in the city and thousands of jobs in construction, maintenance, management and dealing. Not to mention the thousands of other jobs Casino Windsor creates with the building of nearby hotels, restaurants, shopping and other commercial interests directly related to the city's tourism industry.

Realizing the immense profits foregone by continuing to outlaw casino gambling, Michigan has legalized casino gambling and the city of Detroit is already looking to capitalize on gambling. Three major casinos opened temporary casino floors in 2000 and are on the verge of opening multimillion dollar casino complexes complete with luxury hotel rooms and full service restaurants. All told, the casino industry has pumped $1.5 billion in much needed funds into downtown Detroit. Indeed, the construction of high-rise casinos is permanently changing the skyline of Detroit and perhaps offers the city an opportunity to end its costly dependence on Ford, General Motors and Chrysler.

Similar economic success stories are the norm on Native American reservations across the country. The center of extreme poverty, illiteracy and unemployment-Native American reservations are ending their economic dependence and churning profits with the help of casino gambling. Since the 1988 passing of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act by Congress allowing reservations to build casinos, unemployment and welfare rates on reservations have dramatically decreased.

Continued...

Page 1 of 3 next >

Article Tools