Casinos Boost The Economy

The American Gaming Association (AGA) was roped in by the U.S. Travel Association to be a part of a national coalition to promote the importance of business meetings and event travel. This was done because gambling events are the cause of much of the travel. On the 9th of March the AGA released at its web site the early results of a survey conducted to find out the views of Americans on travel in the period of economic downturn. The poll was conducted by VP Communications, Inc. in conjunction with Peter D. Hart. The survey was significant in the light of business travel being treated as profligacy in these troubled times.

The early results showed that most business travelers feel that business travel is crucial to the well being of the businesses. Most recreational travelers feel that travel stimulates the economy by sponsoring demand of local products. The survey covered the impact of casinos on travel as well. And herein lay the icing on the cake.

Summarizing the early results, Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr., President and CEO of the AGA, said, “Without question, these are challenging times, but urging Americans to get back on the road can stimulate our national economy. Commercial casinos can play a key role in the promotion of recreational and business travel throughout the country.” About two thirds of the respondents felt that the casino industry plays a vital role in the travel and tourism sector in America. One reason was that gaming centers usually include state-of-the-art convention centers, which are a component of the business travel infrastructure. About 56 percent of the respondents consider casinos to be “valuable community assets”.

The reasons are compelling and about three fourths of the respondents agreed with them. The first reason was that patrons of casinos also visit neighboring attractions, be they restaurants or theatre or tourist places, and this stimulates the local economy.

Casinos also generate tax revenues for the states and municipalities. As of now many of the tax revenues are going untaxed at

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