Opinion |

Despite new jobs and tourists, casino still a dangerous trap

By Daniel Bowman

Posted on Thursday, October 2nd, 2008, 12:00 am

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After several traffic-jammed, construction-filled months, the moneymaking monstrosity christened Hollywood Slots had its debut opening this summer.

At the end of opening week, the flashy tourist trap earned a $5.6 million profit from roughly 9,000 customers. Assuming each member participated equally – which of course they didn’t – each invested about $6,220. Some of these investments paid off in the widely sought “jackpots,” some broke even and some were siphoned right into the fattening wallets of the casino’s snake-eyed heads.

It looks like all of the United States is lacking lucky sevens this year. This is not the year to start gambling. With foreclosure rates continuing to increase as the year progresses, it would be a good idea to save that rainy day money for something a little more certain for success than gambling. The Bangor homeless shelter has plenty of business, and it is sure to be even more of a hotspot now that the desperate are able to flock to the slots to spend money they don’t have.

The students of the University of Maine must be conscious of this new threat to their wallets. I have little cash as it is without giving my consent to robbery by putting money in a slot machine.

“The problem I have with Hollywood Slots is that Native Americans have been denied the right to a casino for years, then these guys come along and slap one right on the newly renovated waterfront of Bangor,” said first-year student Matt Macone.

The fairness issue is shrugged off by arguing that an institution that was built with the purpose of housing slot machines is not a casino. It will not allow poker, roulette or other table games.

The alternate argument is that the tourist trap might have a positive effect.

“I’ve heard that all the tourists coming into town will be pouring more money into Bangor,” said Mykayla Shaw of Orono. This idea is perfectly feasible. Look at Foxwoods Resorts in Connecticut: The resort is packed almost year round and it is impossible that tourists don’t drop a few bucks into local businesses.

Some locals agree. Stanley Abraham of Hampden says he fully supports the development because “it brings much needed jobs to the metro area.” Employees are also not allowed to gamble, keeping their employees and their families out of potential gambling addictions, as well as providing jobs to those who don’t have one or lost one.

Maybe those at the top of the Hollywood Slots’ chain of command can afford mahogany furniture with all the money they’re draining from those unfortunate enough to fall victim to chronic gambling, but I guess some tourists and a mess of new jobs make up for it. Either way, keep your eyes open for more solid investments than gambling.

Daniel Bowman is a first-year journalism student.