I don't think one popping in the underground ATL would be enough reason for me not to go. In my experience, casinos rarely bring out the degenerates and security is quite tight so most are dealt with swiftly. I have been to Atlantic City on several occasions and those casinos border government housing. You will never know it from the hotels or gaming floor though.
My concern is that gaming going in now would be a move in the opposite direction of financial stability in America. I know a number of people who would not have the personal discipline to stay away from those places. They would gamble away their grocery money, rent, etc, all in the hopes of "hitting it big."
I do, however, see it as a way to create jobs and provide more taxable (think sin tax) revenue for the state. The question we have to ask though is at what expense are we willing to have this enter our state?
Those forsaking their families' wellbeing for the chance at hitting it big will most likely try any gimmick. Gambling is like many other vices, easy to get addicted, hard to control. There must be individual responsibility.
As a spouse of a compulsive gambler, I hate to see any more gambling made legal in Georgia. Is that the only way we can make money? Atlanta has a multitude of social and financial problems, many of which are also converging on a nearby city, Griffin. If they look to gambling to help solve those, do you really think they are bettering the city? How many young, impressionable people will become addicted to the gambling, resulting in another social woe for the city and state? If we are going to do that, why not just make everything legal and then wait for every human being to "do the responsible thing". While I definitely believe that people should be responsible for their own actions, unfortunately we have just raised a generation that knows literally NOTHING about responsiblity. Woe be unto everyone, as we promote one sinful thing after another. I am not a religious zealot, and I have survived the burden of the gambling addiction, however I know the backlashes of it all to well, as do many in this county and throughout our state. Perhaps you think that you would NEVER become addicted to gambling, for you are a responsible person. You would just do it for fun. Wait til they allow you your first BIG win, and bingo! They have you. Then comes the gradual destruction. Don't kid yourself! You would be surprised at the people you come in contact with every day who have serious gambling problems.
I do not agree with the location of the casino, but I do hope that GA gets one. I don't understand why they would want to put a casino in an already conjested place.
I go to Shorter, AL on occasion to gamble, and it is located off of I-85 in a very accessible location. They should consider putting the casino between Macon and Atlanta off I-75 so that people can actually get in/out of the area easily. Plus, that would cut down on transients, crime, and all the other rif-raff that the BIG ATL has to offer.
I do agree with the posts about gambling addictions being an issue; however, people can become addicted to just about anything (cigarettes, alcohol, playing the lottery (scratch offs), etc.). The old saying fits: "One bad apple can spoil the bunch". Don't punish those who gamble responsibly just because some people are irresponsible.
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My concern is that gaming going in now would be a move in the opposite direction of financial stability in America. I know a number of people who would not have the personal discipline to stay away from those places. They would gamble away their grocery money, rent, etc, all in the hopes of "hitting it big."
I do, however, see it as a way to create jobs and provide more taxable (think sin tax) revenue for the state. The question we have to ask though is at what expense are we willing to have this enter our state?
I go to Shorter, AL on occasion to gamble, and it is located off of I-85 in a very accessible location. They should consider putting the casino between Macon and Atlanta off I-75 so that people can actually get in/out of the area easily. Plus, that would cut down on transients, crime, and all the other rif-raff that the BIG ATL has to offer.
I do agree with the posts about gambling addictions being an issue; however, people can become addicted to just about anything (cigarettes, alcohol, playing the lottery (scratch offs), etc.). The old saying fits: "One bad apple can spoil the bunch". Don't punish those who gamble responsibly just because some people are irresponsible.