Casinos as an Industry Tool for Economic Growth
Casinos have become increasingly popular within the hospitality industry as a way of boosting a
city’s revenues. Prior to the 1980s, casino gambling was only legal in Nevada and Atlantic City, N.J.
However, over the past few decades, casinos have grown into a major industry throughout the United
States, as nearly 30 states have now legalized casino gambling(3). Many states have a+empted to get
casino gambling approved because they view casinos as a tool for economic growth. Casinos are an
exciting form of entertainment for many people who dream of winning it big. Because so much money
.ows into casinos, their presence in a region also impacts other local businesses. The greatest perceived
advantages of casinos are higher employment rates, increased tax revenues to state and local
governments, and growth in local retail sales(3). However, several drawbacks tend to arise in the
communities where casinos are built, as well.
The operation of a casino generally requires a large labor force that includes managers, chefs,
entertainers, security guards, and a variety of other professions or skills(4). Thus, one perceived
advantage of casinos is that they help create jobs and therefore lower the city’s unemployment rate.
This is particularly true in urban areas, where the local work force is more likely to possess the skills
desired by casinos(3). In Maryland, for example, according to the American Gaming Association, state
casinos employed 3,250 permanent workers and paid them a collective $125 million in annual wages
during 2014. Furthermore, the majority of these workers usually come from the local community.
According to an executive at the parent company operating the Horseshoe Casino in Baltimore,
Maryland, more than 60% of its 1,900 team members are Baltimore City residents(1). Increased
