Atlanta has become the latest city where the talk of casinos and its tourist impact have heated up.
Just one Las Vegas-style casino in downtown Atlanta could generate up to $1.7 billion in economic impact, create 10,800 direct jobs, and add nearly $3 million to the city’s hotel-motel tax fund, according to a study by PFK Consulting Inc.
“Casinos could be the winning hand downtown needs to stay on top of the convention business, and add a strong leisure attraction,” said the Atlanta Business Chronicle.
PKF’s study — the first to specifically measure the impact casinos could have on the city of Atlanta — is sure to spark a civic debate over gambling here, the newspaper added.
“We’re seeing more and more destinations that have gambling, which functions as an important amenity, especially in attracting group meetings and conventions,” said Mark Woodworth, executive managing director of PKF Consulting.
PKF’s study showed there were three convention cities in 2005 that were also in the top 20 gambling markets. Top-ranked Las Vegas had $6 billion in casino revenue, followed by third-ranked Chicagoland, Ind., with $5 billion, and 16th-ranked New Orleans with $534 million.
PKF’s study also estimated that dealing with problem gambling could cost Atlanta $320 million a year.
Report by David Wilkening
