In a recently released report, the New Orleans-based Convergence Strategy Group stated a casino on the Lake Pontchartrain waterfront near Slidell, Louisiana area most likely would have a “moderately positive to negligible impact on surrounding businesses.”
Commissioned by the St. Tammany Corporation, the economic development agency for the parish, the report stated, “Through the research we see moderately positive impacts from similar developments across the country all the way down to just no impact, but we have not been able to uncover the negative impacts that many communities have feared.”
Peninsula Pacific Entertainment has proposed a $329 million casino resort, Camellia Bay, on vacant land near the Interstate 10 twin spans. St. Tammany Parish voters will decide the fate of the casino in a December referendum.
The anti-casino group, Stand Up St. Tammany, called the study “propaganda.” Spokesperson Chris Jean said, “They are not objectively doing the research for the community. Instead, they are a hired gun to tell you what St. Tammany Corp and P2E need you to believe going into the upcoming vote.”
Parish residents have expressed concerns that the casino would cause property values to decline and crime to rise. They have cited a National Association of Realtors report that projected a 4.6 percent drop in property values in Springfield, Massachusetts, following the opening of the MGM Springfield casino in 2018. However, the CSG study disputed that, noting Springfield property values actually rose 21.4 percent, compared to 2.3 percent to 14.3 percent growth in the surrounding area.
Suzanne Leckert, an author of the CSG study, added it showed sales tax revenue would increase. She said the study found no pattern of business closures or bankruptcies after casinos opened. CSG also analyzed the proposed casino’s impact on small businesses, tourism, crime and marriage/divorce rates.
CSG used data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the U.S. Census, municipal governments and interviews with local leaders. It also reviewed studies from other casino communities and included a review of past studies. CSG found casinos have “a range of impacts on host communities, from positive to non-discernable.” However, the study stated researchers found no recently developed casino markets had negative correlations.
St. Tammany Corp. Chief Executive Officer Chris Masingill, said, “The community impact study provides an abundance of data and information for St. Tammany residents to take into consideration to help them make an informed decision about this project. This project has really been reviewed, has been scrutinized from every single angle. We know that there’s a significant campaign of misinformation and distortions and we want people to have all of the information.”
