This paper examines the proposal to legalize gambling in Galveston, Texas, weighing its potential economic benefits against its social and moral drawbacks. The paper argues that legalized gambling could significantly boost Galveston's economy through increased tax revenues, tourism, employment, and ancillary business development. Drawing on research by Kearney (2005), Goodman (1994), and Kang (1996), the paper also acknowledges key concerns, including community dependence on casino revenue and opposition rooted in moral and religious objections. The paper concludes that the decision ultimately hinges on the values and priorities of Galveston's residents.
The paper demonstrates the technique of contextualized evidence use — taking a large national statistic (gross gambling revenues of $72.9 billion in 2003) and scaling it down to project plausible local impacts. This shows students how to apply broad data to support specific, place-based arguments.
The paper follows a classic five-paragraph essay structure: an introduction framing the debate, two body paragraphs developing the economic and tourism benefits, one body paragraph addressing negatives, and a conclusion that defers the final judgment to community values. This structure is well-suited for short persuasive essays at the introductory undergraduate level.
In the city of Galveston, Texas, it has been proposed to legalize gambling in order to support and encourage economic growth. Legalizing gambling has been proven to increase revenue both in terms of development funding for the city and in the tourist trade, as those who live in regions without legal gambling would likely travel to Galveston — a closer destination than Las Vegas, Nevada or Atlantic City, New Jersey. However, there are also several negatives associated with the legalization of gambling in any location, particularly in areas where no existing legislation permits it nearby, as would be the case in Galveston.
The primary benefit to the community of Galveston, Texas from the legalization of gambling would be economic. For a community with limited economic strength in other sectors, pursuing gambling is a viable way to stabilize and vastly improve its economy. According to Melissa Kearney (2005), "Gross revenues from legalized gambling reached a record-high $72.9 billion in 2003" (p. 2). This figure represents large gambling destinations like those named above, but were gambling legalized in Galveston, it can reasonably be assumed that a significant amount of money would flow into the city's economy.
Such an increase in economic strength would allow for the development of schools, the creation of quality hospitals, the growth of cultural and entertainment venues, higher property values, and — most directly — an increase in employment through casinos and subsequent businesses. In general terms, this could produce a higher quality of life for the people of Galveston.
Galveston, Texas is not currently a major tourist attraction. Although certain locations within the city appeal to some visitors, there are far more prominent vacation destinations within the state of Texas, such as San Antonio and Dallas. By legalizing gambling, Galveston would become a tourist destination for those inclined to gamble who lacked the means or opportunity to travel to more distant locations (Kang 1996, p. 71). People from Texas and nearby states would be more likely to travel to Galveston for gambling than to Las Vegas or Atlantic City.
This influx of visitors would in turn allow for other forms of growth within the city, such as the development of hotels, restaurants, and additional entertainment options that might appeal to family members who were either disinclined to gamble or who had not yet reached the legal age to do so. Research on resident attitudes toward legal gambling suggests that tourism-driven economic expansion is among the most commonly cited benefits in communities considering legalization.
Although there are some negative aspects to a proposal for legalized gambling, there is a definite economic advantage to the practice. Whether legalization is best for Galveston, Texas ultimately depends on the attitudes of the community's population. If their need for economic growth and desire for financial progress is of paramount concern, then legalization of gambling would be beneficial. If, however, the people are more concerned with moral objections and the potential social dangers associated with gambling, then they will likely not support legalization.
Goodman, Robert. "Legalized Gambling as a Strategy for Economic Development." United States Gambling Study. UofM Amherst: Amherst, Mass., 1994.
Kang, Yong-Soon, et al. "Resident Attitudes Toward Legal Gambling." Annals of Tourism Research 23.1 (1996): 71–85.
Kearney, Melissa S. "The Economic Winners and Losers of Legalized Gambling." National Tax Journal 58.2 (2005): 281–302.
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