Casinos? (Bangor: home, buyer, construction) - Maine (ME) - City-Data Forum

namder1 · 10-20-2011, 04:01 AM

Whats with all the casinos trying to open all around the state?

Safecracker · 10-20-2011, 07:45 AM

Its happening everywhere these days, colorado is filled with them now, some on indian land, so not...but there are tons of them now.

Newdaawn · 10-20-2011, 08:36 AM

I'm not favoring more casinos in Maine especially since they will draw away from the one we already have. Our new Arena here depends on a % of the money made in Hollywood Slots and powers that be have alreadymade a commitment to spending $65million or more to build it. Construction is now underway. If the Hollywood slots should start to bring in less money then the realestate taxes would go way up. I had a feeling that would happen eventually but not this soon. I voted against the New Arena but 2/3 of the people were for it. I hope they don't complain when the taxes go up

elston · 10-20-2011, 08:43 AM

Based on what I saw in California....I think the casinos are sad.....its not glamorous high rollers having a wonderful time....its bus loads of old ladies and pensioners....chain smoking and playing the slots with their social security and household money.....isolated, lonely and desperate. ...desperate dreams that drain the life out of the community.

tcrackly · 10-20-2011, 09:43 AM

That's been my expectation. Where do they think all these casino patrons are going to come from? I'm sorry, we're simply not going to draw in big spenders from Canada or Connecticut in droves. It's going to be pathetic , local survivors trying to get rich quick or addicts.

And the many jobs they propose will most likely be peopled with the organizers own payrolls from out-of-state with a few token locals. Even if they hire local contractors for construction it will be large corporate builders, not little community construction firms.

More pipe dreams...

starwalker · 10-20-2011, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elston

Based on what I saw in California....I think the casinos are sad.....its not glamorous high rollers having a wonderful time....its bus loads of old ladies and pensioners....chain smoking and playing the slots with their social security and household money.....isolated, lonely and desperate. ...desperate dreams that drain the life out of the community.

I would say you are pretty much correct. Ditto the lotteries...When I worked in a store that sold tickets, I would have to say I only knew of one regular buyer who was affluent. Several more I'd call "comfortable" but the vast majority were chasing pipe dreams with money that would have been better applied to concrete solutions to current needs.

All the pro casino development signs seem to say "casino" in small type and "JOBS" in large bold letters. But I would rather promote service or manufacturing jobs... something that adds value, rather than (in my opinion) taking away.

RMoore007 · 10-20-2011, 08:58 PM

I like casinos. I'm a small-minded person I know.

It's like saying I smoke cigarettes in elevators or something.

But I like to put some parlays down on Sunday football games once in a while. Maybe a 3 gamer for $15. and a 4 gamer for $20. I may spend $35.00 - $50.00 total but can make a lot more if my teams come in. It makes watching football on Sunday a little more interesting and sometimes even exciting. Right up to the last score.

The indian casinos around here don't have sportbooks so I have to go to Nevada to get the bets down. I talked to a manager of the Bangor Slots and she said that she would love table games and especially a sportsbook that would compliment what they already have in horse betting.

I only like sportsbooks though. I don't like slots or tables. I usually just go to casinos to eat as it's usually pretty cheap, like me.

But that's the crux of it. I can control myself. What about a large group of people that can't? Should we be their protectors and stiffle everyone else from their own good judgement? I really don't care though. I can certainly do without any parlays, pools or poor picks. My life would be simpler.

deerislesmile · 10-21-2011, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Newdaawn

I'm not favoring more casinos in Maine especially since they will draw away from the one we already have. Our new Arena here depends on a % of the money made in Hollywood Slots and powers that be have alreadymade a commitment to spending $65million or more to build it. Construction is now underway. If the Hollywood slots should start to bring in less money then the realestate taxes would go way up. I had a feeling that would happen eventually but not this soon. I voted against the New Arena but 2/3 of the people were for it. I hope they don't complain when the taxes go up

I don't think Bangor should have the monopoly on legalized gambling in the state, simply because they got sucked into some promises re: commerce, development, and tax revenue. I would think a similar venture in southern Maine would draw more business and more money, just due to a larger pool of customers and generally more active retail and entertainment options.

And FWIW... I don't even like the one in Bangor. I think it dominates Main Street in a way that is far from attractive, and the only people that I know of that go there with any frequency should really be putting their money towards better investments..like food and heat.

tcrackly · 10-21-2011, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deerislesmile

I don't think Bangor should have the monopoly on legalized gambling in the state, simply because they got sucked into some promises re: commerce, development, and tax revenue. I would think a similar venture in southern Maine would draw more business and more money, just due to a larger pool of customers and generally more active retail and entertainment options.

And FWIW... I don't even like the one in Bangor. I think it dominates Main Street in a way that is far from attractive, and the only people that I know of that go there with any frequency should really be putting their money towards better investments..like food and heat.

I'm not in favor of a casino in southern Maine because it is not a quick fix to the obvious economic problems. There is a substantial tourist trade here but I don't see it increasing due to a local casino; too easy to go to Mohegan Sun or Atlantic City from here. The local jobs promised from such a venture will just be more of the same low-paying, seasonal service jobs that are peopled by mostly immigrants anyway.
And besides, there are too many people in my community that, like you said, need to be investing in home heating or groceries.

elston · 10-21-2011, 08:19 AM

I agree that the only "benefit" to southern maine would be a very few temporary jobs building the facilities....they would not provide good permenent jobs....clothing children and feeding families. Casinos put a drain on already stressed budgets. I certainly hope that we don't add casinos and racinos to Southern Maine....."take a gamble" is a poor substitute for "the way life should be".