By Dale J. Venturini
President & CEO, RI Hospitality and Tourism Association
Over the last few months, there has been a lot of discussion about the proposed mega-resort casino in West Warwick, Rhode Island. The issue of whether or not Rhode Island needs a casino is of great importance to all those who own hospitality businesses in Rhode Island, and everyone in the hospitality industry should analyze the issue with careful consideration.
The Board of Directors for the Rhode Island Hospitality and Tourism Association has voted to oppose casino gaming in the state. A casino would have a negative impact on existing businesses in Rhode Island, especially those in the foodservice, hospitality and tourism industries.
Harrah’s, the company vying to build the multi-million dollar mega-resort casino in West Warwick, would have you think otherwise. Harrah’s is using its deep pockets and biased reports to make it appear that a casino this size would bring nothing but jobs and economic prosperity to all Rhode Islanders. Rhode Island’s small businesses don’t have Harrah’s checkbook—all we have is the truth.
Look a little closer, and you’ll realize that this deal is too good to be true. The “new revenue” that Harrah’s claims would be infused into the state’s budget is actually just a redistribution of discretionary income that already exists in the local economy. In fact, national studies show that 67 percent of casino gaming revenues come from the local economy. In reality, the economic boon that Harrah’s promises with its enormous casino would be at the expense of the 5,000 hospitality venues and their more than 64,000 employees in Rhode Island.
Unfortunately, when it comes to the casino Harrah’s is proposing, ‘enormous’ is not an understatement. The casino Harrah’s would like built in little West Warwick would be a mega-resort destination casino with full amenities, including an initial 500-room hotel, Harrah’s brand restaurants, retail shops, entertainment venues and convention and meeting space.
A destination casino, by its very definition, is a casino where people visit and stay. People will not be leaving the casino to eat at our local restaurants, enjoy a cocktail at our local bars, or watch a show at our local performing arts centers. Rhode Island’s hospitality businesses cannot compete against the lure of so-called “giveaways” or deep discounts Harrah’s could offer in food, beverage and lodging based on the reduced rate of 25 percent Harrah’s is demanding from the state. The reduced tax rate will allow Harrah’s mega-casino to give-away until they drive away the local competition. When a casino offers its patrons giveaways at the facilities located within its resort, why would patrons leave?
This is about more than just financials, though. It’s about guest experience. There are a limited number of professionally trained service employees in the lodging industry. The 300 or so lodging employees needed by a hotel of that size would further reduce the number of quality employees, and have a severe impact on the quality of the guest experience in Rhode Island.
The Rhode Island hospitality and tourism industry is a proven revenue and job generator for the State of Rhode Island. The mega-resort casino proposed by Harrah’s will most certainly put those jobs and revenue at risk.
A casino is not smart economic development. There are too many negatives associated with a casino in Rhode Island; negatives the state cannot afford to risk. Rhode Island does not need a casino. The Rhode Island hospitality and tourism industry cannot afford a casino.
The Rhode Island Hospitality and Tourism Association’s Anti-Casino Task Force continues to be very active in its efforts to stop the proposed casino from getting on the November ballot. Also, several association members have scheduled “town hall” meetings with area businesses and legislators to discuss the devastating affects the proposed casino will have on our industry. We urge you to contact the Association to see how you can get involved and have your voice heard in this critical debate. Please call (401) 223-1120 for more information.
President & CEO, RI Hospitality and Tourism Association
Over the last few months, there has been a lot of discussion about the proposed mega-resort casino in West Warwick, Rhode Island. The issue of whether or not Rhode Island needs a casino is of great importance to all those who own hospitality businesses in Rhode Island, and everyone in the hospitality industry should analyze the issue with careful consideration.
The Board of Directors for the Rhode Island Hospitality and Tourism Association has voted to oppose casino gaming in the state. A casino would have a negative impact on existing businesses in Rhode Island, especially those in the foodservice, hospitality and tourism industries.
Harrah’s, the company vying to build the multi-million dollar mega-resort casino in West Warwick, would have you think otherwise. Harrah’s is using its deep pockets and biased reports to make it appear that a casino this size would bring nothing but jobs and economic prosperity to all Rhode Islanders. Rhode Island’s small businesses don’t have Harrah’s checkbook—all we have is the truth.
Look a little closer, and you’ll realize that this deal is too good to be true. The “new revenue” that Harrah’s claims would be infused into the state’s budget is actually just a redistribution of discretionary income that already exists in the local economy. In fact, national studies show that 67 percent of casino gaming revenues come from the local economy. In reality, the economic boon that Harrah’s promises with its enormous casino would be at the expense of the 5,000 hospitality venues and their more than 64,000 employees in Rhode Island.
Unfortunately, when it comes to the casino Harrah’s is proposing, ‘enormous’ is not an understatement. The casino Harrah’s would like built in little West Warwick would be a mega-resort destination casino with full amenities, including an initial 500-room hotel, Harrah’s brand restaurants, retail shops, entertainment venues and convention and meeting space.
A destination casino, by its very definition, is a casino where people visit and stay. People will not be leaving the casino to eat at our local restaurants, enjoy a cocktail at our local bars, or watch a show at our local performing arts centers. Rhode Island’s hospitality businesses cannot compete against the lure of so-called “giveaways” or deep discounts Harrah’s could offer in food, beverage and lodging based on the reduced rate of 25 percent Harrah’s is demanding from the state. The reduced tax rate will allow Harrah’s mega-casino to give-away until they drive away the local competition. When a casino offers its patrons giveaways at the facilities located within its resort, why would patrons leave?
This is about more than just financials, though. It’s about guest experience. There are a limited number of professionally trained service employees in the lodging industry. The 300 or so lodging employees needed by a hotel of that size would further reduce the number of quality employees, and have a severe impact on the quality of the guest experience in Rhode Island.
The Rhode Island hospitality and tourism industry is a proven revenue and job generator for the State of Rhode Island. The mega-resort casino proposed by Harrah’s will most certainly put those jobs and revenue at risk.
A casino is not smart economic development. There are too many negatives associated with a casino in Rhode Island; negatives the state cannot afford to risk. Rhode Island does not need a casino. The Rhode Island hospitality and tourism industry cannot afford a casino.
The Rhode Island Hospitality and Tourism Association’s Anti-Casino Task Force continues to be very active in its efforts to stop the proposed casino from getting on the November ballot. Also, several association members have scheduled “town hall” meetings with area businesses and legislators to discuss the devastating affects the proposed casino will have on our industry. We urge you to contact the Association to see how you can get involved and have your voice heard in this critical debate. Please call (401) 223-1120 for more information.
