Tracing
Technology and its Effects on Slot Machines
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The
ever-present Anonymous of Prince George's County left a comment on my blog from
December 28, 2011, Anonymous support for gambling in Prince George's County
Maryland. In my last blog, What do We Know about Gambling, Gaming, Casinos &
Economic Development in Prince George's County, Maryland?, I asked for any links to detailed reports.
Today,
with special thanks to Delegate Levi (D-23A Pri. Geo's), I now am reading the 128 page report from
2004, The Economic and Social Impacts of Racetrack Video Lottery
Terminals on the City of Baltimore and Prince George’s County.[1]
I
am intrigued by some of the detailed information in this report. For example, the
report notes that the slots industry, when established in Prince George's County, would create an
impressive 3,866 jobs in the county. Then I read the gaming or gambling industry's purported wage of $12,491 per year. The report also notes that there would be significant short
term construction jobs at a higher rate.[2]
I also found in the 2004 report the curious presentation of educational statistics for Atlantic City casino workers to be a form of faint praise at best for bringing gambling to Prince George's County. For a county that should be an international leader in Science, Technology, Engineering and Innovation, only14.8% of the casino workers had 4 years of college or more.
Of course this means that
the gaming industry will provide work for those of us without higher learning
and that is a good thing for we too need jobs. However the wage statistics
indicate an hourly median figure of $11.25, hardly a living wage, but better
than nothing.[3]
The question remains is this how high (or low) are we setting the bar of
expectations and excellence that this county wants and deserves? Besides slots
and malls, what else do we have in the pipeline?
Below
is the Prince George's Anonymous comment without comment from me, at least
today.
Mr. Thompson writes again that he
supports gambling but questions the mismanagement of the potential tax revenue
generated and the supposed benefits derived from the increased county and state
taxes. He then questions Prince Georgians decision making as if we are
incapable as he wonders why if gambling were such a good idea how come Bethesda
and Potomac are not clamoring for a gambling operation?
These
two areas have been bolstered by BRAC, the influx of government jobs, and
technology. For some odd reason or another our US Representatives, Congressman Steny
Hoyer and Congressman Chris Van Hollen who are two of the highest ranking
Congressmen have not been able or choose not to move the above into Prince
George's County to bolster our economy. We not only have the government not
wanting to move into our County but there is also a lack of private businesses
desiring to move into Prince George's County. Our residents need jobs. We must
either somehow figure out how to capitalize off the businesses who are willing
to move here and incentivize others to move here or we must learn to use our
voting power and elect those into office who will look out after Prince
Georgians and ensure we ge the types of jobs and businesses we deserve in our
county.
[1]
Optimal Solutions Group. The Economic and Social Impacts of Racetrack Video
Lottery Terminals on the City of Baltimore and Prince George’s County. Commissioned
By: The Presidents’ RoundTable, Inc. & Greater Prince George’s Business
Roundtable, Inc. February 2004. [accessed January 22, 2012] http://www.responsiblegambling.org/articles/economic_and_social_impacts_racetrack_vlt_baltimore.pdf
[2] ibid. page 34
[3]
Occupational Employment Statistics. National Industry-Specific Occupational
Employment and Wage Estimates NAICS 713200 - Gambling Industries. May 2010.
[accessed January 22, 2012] http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/naics4_713200.htm
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