Online gambling could affect regional casino markets

[The Buzz]

The state of Massachusetts, where the GPWA home office is based, has been in a battle for land-based casinos for years. The debate recently has been about slot machines at racetracks vs. resort casinos. The Boston Globe recently reported another factor that could hinder land-based gambling in Massachusetts: online gambling.

The Globe says that if the federal government legalizes and regulates online gambling, regional casino operators could see a negative effect.

From the Globe:

But given the Internet’s profound effect on retailing, newspapers, and music, the industry is watching the issue closely. At least one analyst says regional casinos such as those being contemplated by Massachusetts may have the most to lose.

“People want the experience of going to Las Vegas and going from casino to casino and enjoying the rooms,’’ said Ben Bubeck, director of the gaming team for Standard & Poor’s. “It’s more your local casino that might be a little more vulnerable.’’

[nsawins]

The state of Massachusetts, where the GPWA home office is based, has been in a battle for land-based casinos for years. The debate recently has been about slot machines at racetracks vs. resort casinos. The Boston Globe recently reported another factor that could hinder land-based gambling in Massachusetts: online gambling.

The Globe says that if the federal government legalizes and regulates online gambling, regional casino operators could see a negative effect.

From the Globe:

I think the mickey mouse dog tracks with slots jammed in all around will definitely lose some business no doubt. However, I don't think state-of-the-art casinos like Vegas has or other ones like Foxwoods or Mohegan Sun in Connecticut, for example, will lose much if at all.

Frankly, the casinos that offer table games and not just slots may see more business when new players introduced online want to go to the BIG BOY casinos and test their luck in person. Plus, let's face it, you simply can't compare playing online in your sweats with your dog below you and playing LIVE next to a beatuful card dealer or some drunk bachelorette party girls asking you for advice LOL. NO COMPARISON!!!

I also think tons of senior citizens would make the journey to casinos in Massachusetts or other states that decide to build them. I'm not an expert and don't have any figures to back it up, but my educated guess would be that most senior citizens 60 years and older probably don't use the computer that much and would have more fun pulling down the levers on the real slots. I could be wrong LOL but that's what I think.

[arkyt]

I don't think state-of-the-art casinos like Vegas has or other ones like Foxwoods or Mohegan Sun in Connecticut, for example, will lose much if at all.

Agreed! In fact if they pay their cards correctly they would likely see growth ... look what online poker did for the landbased poker game.

[boczom1]

The Globe says that if the federal government legalizes and regulates online gambling, regional casino operators could see a negative effect.

hold on...lemme try to get this right.

The Feds currently see online gambling as illegal & are nitpicking their targets left & right in a reclusive manner.

But as soon as they shut down all the offshore sites ,they'll make online gambling legal here and put their party hats back on ?