Umm why doesn't Atlanta have any casinos? Our closest casino will now be in Montgomery, Ala (Franklin: hotel, houses)

[0nyxStation]

Originally Posted by ChefRamsey

Hopefully the religious nuts will die soon.

Thats not cool man....just saying.

[ChefRamsey]

Originally Posted by tikigod311

Why are you bringing up religion? Georgia too pious? Name me an city in the US where there are (non-indian) casinos that you would consider a world class city?

Vegas? I guess. I would consider it gaudy and built on stupidity , the strip that is, not the whole city.

I see casino as a last ditch, low class addition to a city.

Valid, but I don't see too many world class cities WITHOUT some casinos. Would one or two casinos really hurt?

[tikigod311]

Originally Posted by ChefRamsey

Valid, but I don't see too many world class cities WITHOUT some casinos. Would one or two casinos really hurt?

Probably not, but we don't need them. I do think it would hurt the south Downtown area in the long term. We would possibly get an influx of development south of the RR tracks, but I think that area has a lot more potential than a casino.

Its not a huge deal though. I like going to casinos when I feel fun and stupid. I just can't see a casino making south Downtown a very nice place.

[ChefRamsey]

Originally Posted by tikigod311

Probably not, but we don't need them. I do think it would hurt the south Downtown area in the long term. We would possibly get an influx of development south of the RR tracks, but I think that area has a lot more potential than a casino.

Its not a huge deal though. I like going to casinos when I feel fun and stupid. I just can't see a casino making south Downtown a very nice place.

Not very much can.

But I'll tell you one thing, if we get 3-4 Casinos in Atlanta, higher education will be funded tons more. THAT is what we need to develop the state, nation and world. Not casinos and ferris wheels. I'm in this for the HOPE dollars and economic development, not the tourism boost.

[tikigod311]

I think south Downtown has tremendous potential. If the city ever decides to stop tolerating permanent loitering, crime, and vagrants down there it could explode.

[ChefRamsey]

Originally Posted by tikigod311

I think south Downtown has tremendous potential. If the city ever decides to stop tolerating permanent loitering, crime, and vagrants down there it could explode.

True, but with what money?

There's potential in everything. I have potential to become the President. Is it likely? nah.


Plus, if Atlanta becomes home to the first casinos, maybe the idea will spread towards other parts of Georgia. More HOPE dollars! w00t

[tikigod311]

Its already paid for by the police budget. The cops are already down there, they just tolerate it. Just like they tolerate the open drug deals around the Pine St Shelter.

The potential of south downtown comes from its location (its downtown!), affordable historic buildings, and excellent access to transit.

I do like the idea of taking money from people doing something stupid (gambling) and giving it to someone who is bettering themselves.

[brownhornet]

It does seem weird to me. Alabama has casinos but wont do the lottery and vice versa with GA.

[tikigod311]

Are the Alabama casinos Indian?

[netsirk]

My sister lives in New Hampshire, about 30 miles outside of Boston (so, not in the middle of nowhere without anything else to do). There's a racetrack there (simulast only now), and a few years ago they put in small-ante gambling. It's not video gambling, it's tables, with poker and blackjack being the most prevalent. The maximum bet is $4. A portion of the proceeds goes to local charities. So, you're never going to get rich, but we used to go frequently, and it's a lot of fun. Casual, laid-back, same regulars, etc. Also makes some money for those charities--there's a waiting list of charities to get in on the action:

"At Rockingham Park, the 36 charities with game dates there average $55,000 a year in profit from 10 days of gambling, the maximum days the state allows per charity. Rockingham, a potential site for a commercial casino, is the most profitable of the dozen game operators, paying 36 charities almost $2 million in fiscal 2013 — nearly half the $4.6 million charities received statewide from gambling." (From the "Valley News," Lebanon, NH)

They had a governor in NH who was anti-gambling--you know, attracting a bad social element and all that. He's gone now. And the residents of the town voted, 80% to 20% to make it a commercial gambling site. It's underway, as far as I know. To me, it says something when the local residents are all for it and not worried about the "bad element" it might attract. From what I've read, the entities most opposed at this point are the charities. Can't say I blame them.

Personally, I'd love to see a casino here in the Atlanta area, but then again, I'm from New Jersey, so I'm used to AC being there for the taking (and, now, the casinos in the Poconos).