KENOSHA, Wis. — A newly announced expansion project tied to the Seminole Tribe’s Hard Rock operation in Rockford is raising fresh questions about the long-term economic viability of the proposed Kenosha casino and whether environmental reviews tied to the Wisconsin project are now outdated, according to a local anti-gambling group.
Citizens Against Expanded Gambling issued a statement Wednesday criticizing the planned Rockford hotel and convention center expansion, arguing that the Illinois development directly overlaps with many of the same tourism and entertainment markets that supporters of the Kenosha casino proposal have relied upon in their projections.
“The Kenosha proposal was presented as a unique economic opportunity for southeastern Wisconsin,” said Lorri Pickens, spokesperson for Citizens Against Expanded Gambling. “However, the Rockford development includes many of the same features and target markets, creating significant doubt about whether the Kenosha project can deliver the jobs, tourism, and revenue projections used to justify the application.”
The organization also argued that the environmental assessment connected to the Kenosha proposal may no longer accurately reflect the regional market landscape because it did not account for a competing Seminole-backed development in nearby Rockford.
According to the group, the emergence of another large-scale casino-related attraction in northern Illinois should trigger a new review process before state, federal, or local officials move forward with additional approvals connected to the Kenosha proposal.
The proposed Kenosha casino has been the subject of political and economic debate for years, with supporters arguing it would bring jobs, tourism, and tax revenue to southeastern Wisconsin. Opponents, however, have repeatedly questioned whether the market can sustain another major gaming destination so close to existing operations in Illinois and Milwaukee.
The Rockford expansion announcement appears likely to intensify those concerns as officials continue evaluating the future of the Kenosha project.
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3 Responses
It’s going to happen here. Get over it.
yup, it is coming
Full disclosure.
I’m against this Casino. There is enough gambling opportunities within an hours drive including this one to satisfy most any gambler’s desire and addictions. Heck I know locals here that can win and lose $500 or more in a single sitting ay any local restaurant or bar that has just five machines.
Including gas stations !!!
In just a few hours stone sober without alcohol !!
Additionally the cost of society’s ills on the taxpayers such as domestic violence, loss of money and savings and the results of a breadwinner loosing a week’s pay in just a few hours of gambling which then affects the whole household the gambler lives in.
Then the fact that the promise of stipends the casino will pay in lieu of not having to pay property taxes is never enough to offset the above mentioned ills it will create. Studies have been done on this and bear it out.
No thanks