Has the Chamber of Commerce had any discussion or taken a position on the allowing more Casinos on the island? In view of the concern about a rising crime rate, would this be a negative?

The subject has not come up for discussion at any of our meetings, other than a report of a casino being built across from Banyan Bay. The Chamber has not taken a position on casinos. It is somewhat difficult to take a negative position on a legal, licensed business, but that would be a group decison if it became needed or necessary.

Personally I had not found places like Harry's casino (when it was a real casino) much more than another tourist attraction, or another place for locals to gather.

As always, slot machines, particularly ours which are not really regulated or monitered, suck money from the poor. I have had a few friends who sadly wandered down that path of addiction.

Although gambling is commonly associated with rising crime, personally I feel the drugs on the island have much more of a crime impact on our island. The casino in Belize City seems to be well managed, and restricts most of the poor from even entering. The local Boleto? (lottery) does a great job of taxing the poor, and taking their hard-earned cash. All of these things are handled at a central government level, and not much can be done about it by anyone local.

Thank you for your reply. I believe another casino is also planned for the development at Holiday Lands and possibly BYC(That one I'm not real sure about however). I guess my other concern might be with a proliferation of casinos it would change some of the laid back island ambience that tourists seem to enjoy. I agree, Harry's was never a problem and The Princess is very well managed. Thanks for your input.

IMHO, one casino is more than enough for Ambergris.

US tourists if they truly want to gamble, they would go to the hot spots in the US, not Belize.

I've noted the drug problem which brings crime, increasing more and more over the last few years.
I opened a thread "Watch Chloe walk the highwire over Front street", which was about drugs being offered openly to people of all ages.

I do agree with Chloe, we definitely do not need a bunch of casinos, and really would hate us to head toward being Las Vegas, just as I would hate to see us become a Cancun.
One small nice one could satisfy the few tourists and locals that would enjoy a diversion. I felt that the Palace was just about right for our island.

I agree one casino is enough. The islands with casinos attract a different crowd, have a different vibe and cost of living, crime rates and unsavory activities usually go up. If people want the jet set casinos of Aruba, St Maartin, PR, etc. they should go there.

Temptation Island was bad enough! :p

Chloe, I can't find that thread you are talking about. A little help please, TIA.

Interesting....San Vegas!!
Lots of sparkling lights to block the stars and moonlight; whore houses instead of Nancy's and Marina's; topless shows instead of Barefoot Skinny; Celine Dion instead of Punta; Planet Hollywood instead of Papi's; and the Stratasphere instead of the Chicken Drop...... oh yeah, and Roy's White Tigers instead of the nurse sharks........
NO THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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I remembered coming home from one of my vacations and reading it.........time passes by quickly, this was 2002

Vicki... what do you mean no thanks??? I liked everything you mentioned... laugh