I’m just picturing a The Price Is Right episode in the future.
Bob Barker: “Congratulations, Bob! You’ve
just won a fabulous vaction to the hottest casinos in Detroit!!!”
Bob: “Oh. Um, wow.I’m going to … Detroit.”
Having lived within 20 miles of Detroit for most of my life, I can honestly say that if I ever get the urge to blow all of my money on a slot machine, I would just as soon cross the bridge into Canada and take advantage of the exchange rate. I’ve been to Joe Louis Arena to see the Red Wings, have gone to the Blues Festival and the Hoedown, have shopped in the stores in the Renaissance Center, and have seen many a free concert at Hart Plaza, but nothing could convince me to visit a casino down there.
Shadowfox
sly sed: Okay, okay. Perhaps I didn’t explain it very well. The three major players are planning a sum total of 2600 hotel rooms. Fleecing the locals I understand, but 2600 rooms? Would these rooms be, perhaps, planned for the additional law enforcement required?
As far as Detroit itself, yeah, it’s not the best looking city. Sort of like Cleveland - without the glitter. I just wonder how the developers expect to reclaim the dough it takes construct these behemoths. Smoke and mirrors?
*Smoke and mirrors indeed!
Mirrors are all over casinos to disorient you and make it more likely that you’ll play a little. And most casinos are full of cigarette smoke, as they’re neither a restaurant nor bar. (The drinks are free, which gets around the latter definition.) Since the persecution of the smoker in the 90’s, casinos are one of the last bastions of social interation they have.
As for Detroit not being good-looking, have you ever seen Atlantic City!? There are slum tenaments right across the street from the casinos. Now, on the beach side, there’s a fixed-up boardwalk with lots of glitzy casinos and shops. As long as the tourists stay on the beach, they never know what a slimy place AC is.
The developers (probably Donald Trump, Merv Griffin, etc.) have made dozens of these type of hotel/casinos, so they know exactly how to recoup their money. (Slot machines mostly.)*
sly also sed: Why, on God’s green earth, would anyone come to Detroit to gamble?
It’s a lot close than Nevada for a great number of Americans & Canadians. From Pittsburgh PA to Chicago, IL is one of the most populated areas of the US. Even I might venture a drive from DC if only to change venue from Atlantic City for a trip.