Casino industry shows growth in 2000

Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2001 | 9:38 a.m.

The American commercial casino industry recorded $24.3 billion in gross gaming revenues in 2000, an increase of more than 9 percent over 1999, the American Gaming Association reported.

The AGA's annual casino survey reported more than 370,000 people were employed by commercial casinos in 11 states in 2000, an increase of more than 14,000. This does not include the estimated 200,000 employed by Indian casinos. Tax revenues received by the 11 states was $3.5 billion in 2000, up 14 percent.

The AGA also promoted the findings of a new survey of casino community residents in the report, saying it showed strong support for gaming among people who live near casinos. When asked if they would vote to keep casino gambling legal in their communities, 68 percent responded "yes," while 26 percent said "no." Seventy percent said casinos had had a "very positive" or "somewhat positive" effect on their communities, while 14 percent said casinos had a "somewhat negative" or "very negative" effect.

Eighty percent agreed with the statement, "A casino can be an important part of a community's entertainment and tourism options;" 18 percent disagreed. Among the general American population, 73 percent agreed while 24 percent disagreed.

Sixty-six percent of casino community residents agreed that communities with casinos have more job opportunities and lower unemployment, while 20 percent disagreed. Among the general American population, 58 percent agreed while 23 percent disagreed.