50% of Plainridge Park Casino’s workers were unemployed or had a part-time job at the time they were hired. A study of the hiring practices at Massachusetts first licensed gambling venue shows how the operation boosted economic prospects for hundreds of people in the area. Plainridge Park Casino in Plainville, Massachusetts boosted the prospects for the area’s unemployed and underemployed residents.
A full 50% of all new hires at the Plainridge Park Casino were previously either unemployed or part-time employees at the time of their hiring to be casino staff. The statistics come from a new report conducted by the Donahue Institute, which was released by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission.
A minority of the casino’s workers had previous gaming experiences. Over 90% of those hired were residents of the eastern Massachusetts-Rhode Island area, meaning the Plainridge Casino had exactly the kind of impact it was intended to have. When the owners of the Plainridge Park and city leaders in Plainville first lobbied for a casino gaming space, they argued that a gaming expansion would help boost an economically needy area.
Stephen Crosby Praised Plainridge
The Gaming Commission’s chairman, Stephen Crosby, lauded the results of the Plainridge Park Casino jobs report, which saw casino-style gaming added to a traditional racetrack.
Crosby said in a public statement, “As we pointed out repeatedly, the Legislature made broad-based economic development a key focus of the Gaming Act, with a particular focus on local unemployment for those underemployed and unemployed.”
Discussing the findings by the Donahue Institute, Chairman Crosby added, “This report, thus far, demonstrates that legislative intent is being achieved.”
Lance George, who works as VP and General Manager at Plainridge on behalf of Penn National Gaming, said of the research, “We’re very proud that Plainridge Park Casino has been able to make a real difference in the lives of so many working people and their families. It was an honor for us to be selected by the Gaming Commission as the Commonwealth’s first casino.”
Rachel Volberg Criticizes Plainridge
Not everyone is pleased by the results of gaming expansion in and around Plainville. Rachel Volberg, speaking on behalf of “Social and Economic Impacts of Gambling in Massachusetts“, said that the jobs and economic impact was only one of the factors which should go into evaluating the gaming venue’s overall impact in the community.
Volberg suggested that the social impact, as well as the financial troubles that problem gambling can bring to residents, also should be considered. Volberg said, “In assessing the overall impacts of expanded gambling, it is important to understand whether employment gains at the casino result in the loss of employment in other sectors of the economy and in surrounding communities.”
Disadvantages of Plainridge Park Casino
Opponents of casino gambling note that gaming does not necessarily generate income, but instead transfers local wealth from one group of people to another. Often, those impacted can ill-afford to lose their financial wherewithal. Problem gambling has an impact on more than just a single gambler, but also on their family and loved ones.
The appearance of a casino also has an impact on other businesses in the area. Faced with a shiny new gambling establishment, residents often desert other local forms of entertainment for slots row. It is the entertainment and leisure equivalent of a Walmart Superstore causing the closure of Mom-and-Pop grocery and retail stores in a local area.
Advantages of Plainridge Park Casino
Proponents of casinos suggest that the good casino draws visitors from outside the region, so the casino acts a magnet for capital flow into the local economy. That is a net plus for the community. Since people who travel from out of the region tend to have disposable income they want to spend, it is a win-win situation.
As for the impact on other businesses, a casino provides residents with options, like any other business. They can choose to frequent a casino or to remain with the traditional forms of entertainment.
1000-Worker Survey
Whatever the case, the 1000 employees who took part in the Donahue Institute research said the casino had a positive impact for them. Those surveyed said they took jobs at the Plainridge facility for the sake of better pay, better career opportunties, and improved benefits.
Also, the casino helped maintain the fabric of the community. 92% of those surveyed said they did not have to move to accept their job at the Plainridge casino. 86% said they had never worked at a gaming venue before. Thus, the Plainridge Park Casino allowed local residents who did not have good prospects to keep their families in the area.
