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Opening a casino has been anything but easy at times.
Voters in four cities — Bristol, Danville, Norfolk, Portsmouth — approved casinos that are now operational either in temporary or permanent facilities. However, efforts in the fifth and sixth cities have caused headaches for residents, politicians, and developers. The latest rocky road runs through Roanoke, where an impassioned discussion about a possible casino highlighted the City Council’s final meeting of the year.
“Casino gambling in communities across the nation has been associated with increased addiction, family instability, financial hardship, crime, and added strain on local government services,” Roanoke resident Brian Smith said during the meeting. “Evidence from other municipalities shows that promised casino revenues often fall short.”
The Roanoke City Council announced earlier this year that it would conduct a preliminary study to determine the feasibility of an entertainment district that would include a casino.
Opponents warn of gambling addiction and social costs
The arguments against a casino raised by residents before the City Council echoed concerns voiced by anti-casino proponents in other states. Speakers cited worries about increased problem gambling rates and local crime.
For example, the Nebraska Family Alliance‘s anti-casino website encapsulated many of the concerns shared by similar movements nationwide.
“There is no debate among scholars that those who are financially desperate look to government-sanctioned gambling as a way to improve their lives and help them escape their financial condition,” the site says.
“The business model for casinos depends on blatantly exploiting the financially desperate and the addicted. It cannot survive without these citizens. When it comes to state-sanctioned gambling, the sole focus becomes maximizing profits, not protecting the public interest.”
The site also claims the presence of casinos requires states to spend about $3 on increased social services for every $1 earned in gambling revenue.
Virginia casino supporters point to jobs and tax revenue
Casino proponents generally point to tax revenue, employment and increased funding for responsible gaming resources as benefits.
The American Gaming Association, a casino industry advocacy group, argues that casinos provide more jobs than the air transportation, postal service, motion picture and video sectors.
The association also says the gaming industry contributes nearly $500 million annually to responsible gaming education efforts.
Regulatory hurdles remain for Roanoke casino plan
Building a casino in Roanoke would require navigating a lengthy regulatory process. First, the City Council must approve zoning amendments for the area proposed for the entertainment complex.
Residents initially filed a lawsuit challenging the rezoning but later withdrew it, according to local news station WDBJ 7.
The City Council plans to hold public meetings on the zoning changes early next year. If approved, the amendments could be adopted in April, WDBJ 7 reported.
