The cost for Beloit College would be high, of that there can be no doubt. These costs will be discussed in my next two columns. There is another set of issues that concerns me. One of the most frequently observed characteristics of the gambling industry is its enormous ability to influence local government. Destination casinos are those that most of the gambler patrons travel to get to.
Local casinos draw their revenues primarily from the immediate area in which they are located.
They take money out of local pockets and put it in the casinos' pockets. Casino operators don't care where gamblers come from so long as they lose money. Communities in which casinos are located, however, care a great deal. If a casino is not bringing in outside dollars, it is of no economic value to a local economy. Even if a local casino is making money, it is a drain on the local economy.