While polls show casino repeal losing by larger and larger margins, MGM Resorts International and Penn National Gaming are taking no chances. (Wynn Resorts, cravenly, is sitting it out.) In the first TV salvo of the fall campaign, MGM Springfield unleashed a full broadside of glitz, grit and economic-impact rhetoric. Pleaded Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield CEO Jeff Ciuffreda, “Springfield‘s unemployment rate is in double digits. We need the 3,000 jobs. We want the 3,000 jobs.” He’s not exaggerating — at least one out of 10 Springfielders is out of work.
In addition to the air war, MGM and Penn are launching a ground game, too. Not only is it fanning out from Worcester to field headquarters in Springfield and elsewhere, “the group has distributed approximately 2,000 yard signs, more than 37,000 bumper stickers and held over 100 events across the state.” By not taking victory for granted, MGM and Penn are doing the right thing.
* The New York State Gaming Commission is packing them in as its casino-siting tour heads from Poughkeepsie to Ithaca. At its first stop it drew a color-coded crowd, spotted with proponents of Nevele Resort (advocated by Ulster County Regional Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Ward Todd), Genting Group‘s Sterling Forest Resort and Grand Hudson Resort & Casino. Opponents turned out in force as well.
Although no casino is proposed for Dutchess County, Regional Chamber of Commerce CEO Charles North endorsed Caesars Entertainment‘s $880 million proposal. “After looking at all the facts, we found that Caesars is the most economically feasible and community-minded organization reaching across the river. They are interested in helping veterans. They are interested in helping the disabled community. They are interested in hiring people through our workforce development program,” he told the panel.
Ellenville Mayor Jeff Kaplan put the case for Nevele in graphic terms, describing an economically desolated town and concluding, “There is no next project for Ellenville. This is the project.” Expect the commission to get a comparable talking-to as it heads upstate. Although there is some ambivalence about casinos, compared to Massachusetts, New Yorkers are downright gung-ho.
