As a native of Two-Mile Borris (of sorts), I have grown up familiar with the site where Richard Quirke proposed to build his multi functional “Venue”. While I agree that it would have been fantastic for the area, and while I would have like to have seen the site as an entirety developed, we must remember a number of brief points, of which Michael Lowry and Richard Quirke may well agree.
1. Casino’s on a similar scale exist around UK and Europe – There are many casino’s in the UK, in places like Brighton, who also offer many other services to accompany them. This development would then lose its unique selling point, as it is not unique
2. Pressure from various agencies to ban casino’s outright – As I assume you are well aware, gambling can become a serious addiction. As a result, there are many organisations who outright oppose the opening of ANY casino in the country, as young people in that locality are at a higher risk of developing a gambling addiction
3. Location – While I, as a proud native of Two-Mile Borris, would have loved nothing more than a world class leisure facility on my doorstep, the reality is, such a development would prove economically unsound in the long term as (a) There would be more than one casino developed in the country and (b) The footfall required to keep the doors open would prove unrealistic
4. Competition from Vegas – The glamour of going to Las Vegas has been idolised in many Hollywood films, such as the Hangover. If you book through eBookers online, you can buy a package for 5 nights stay on the “strip” and return flights for as little as €550. Our small island economy is vastly over priced to compete with such offers
5. Increase in crime – The white elephant in the room, is the potential increase in crime as a direct result of the casino. People might gamble savings, weeks earnings, and much more besides, and might see no other option, only to turn to crime to survive. Organised crime might see this as a way of laundering their “dirty money”, as their winnings would be traced back to the casino.
While I would love nothing more, than to see the Breeders Cup grace our fair county, to see our micro economy flourish in the midst of economic austerity, and to see tourism boosted by this development, it is only when one looks at this with an open mind that they can truly appreciate that this decision, not to grant the super casino licence, might just have been the right one.
