Why a Casino is Bad for Muskegon

A casino is a bad idea for Muskegon or anywhere else. The most common claim in support of a casino, that a casino would boost the local economy, is only partly correct. According to an article in the Washington Post (hardly a conservative voice), while jobs are created, the increase in employment opportunities is measurable, but not earthshaking. While the data cited in the article are not fresh, one has no reason to suspect that the conditions surrounding a Muskegon casino would be any different.

There is a less obvious down-side to casino jobs. First, many of the jobs will be taken by workers at other jobs, destabilizing the workforce in general. Also, the type of jobs that are created are substantially non-productive. By that I mean that nothing is produced for the benefit of others except entertainment. A factory makes goods that people can use; a restaurant feeds people; an insurance company or bank provides useful financial services. A casino adds nothing to the economy; it merely shifts dollars from gamblers’ pockets to the tribes’ coffers.

Some argue that a casino would generate tax revenue. According to the Washington Post article, “[Indian] Casinos aren't even a particularly good source of tax revenue. [A University of Maryland report] notes that a number of studies have found that Indian casinos cannibalize business at nearby restaurants and bars, and in so doing actually reduce state tax revenue.” Even Uncle Sam gets left out of the take since Indian casinos don’t pay corporate income tax.

Indian casinos do participate in revenue sharing in lieu of paying taxes, but it is not clear that they fully compensate local governments. A report in MLive about the Little River Casino in Manistee found that, “The tribe's forked over $30,479,814 in revenue sharing to Manistee area governments since it opened a casino there in 1999.” This is about $1.8 million per year on average. Sounds like a lot until you consider this: “In Manistee, local revenue sharing board uses the funds to reimburse local units of governments for costs due to the casino -- i.e. law enforcement and emergency services -- and to provide a payment in lieu of property tax revenue. Any additional funds are divided by the local governments and have been used for a variety of projects”

A few people have said that casinos are a benefit to the many underprivileged Native Americans in the associated tribes. An article in a Native American media outlet questions this premise. “The idea that money just flows freely into Indian people’s hands is pure fantasy. Approximately 72 tribes give per capita payments from gaming revenue, ranging from hundreds of dollars annually to many thousands. Very few distribute large sums…. Actually, a 2008 report finds that tribal leaders don’t like to disburse cash, contending ‘large per capita payments lead to citizen dependence on tribal governments, undermine the work ethic, and discourage young citizens from finishing their educations.’”

Even if there are some benefits to a community from a casino, the biggest reason not to have one is social. The Washington Post article concludes, “Casinos also lead to a plethora of social ills, including increased substance abuse, mental illness and suicide, violent crime, auto theft and larceny, and bankruptcy. The latter three all increased by 10 percent in communities that allowed gambling.” Prostitution and sex-trafficking may also increase with the casino’s influence. Although there is little statistical arrest evidence, a survey conducted by UNLV found that, “Those classified as problem gamblers were, on average, … 260% more likely to hire a prostitute…. [and] 17% more likely than the average survey respondent to have paid for sex in the past year.”

As a Christian under a representative-type government, I recognize that I only have one vote when it comes to any policy decision. In the Muskegon casino decision, I don’t think I had any direct say whatsoever. However, as a Christian I do have the responsibility to be salt and light. I am taking this opportunity to say that I believe a casino in Muskegon will spread poison and darkness as opposed to salt and light. If there is anything more that can be done to stop a casino from being built here, I believe we should make every effort to do so. For Heaven’s sake.