Casinos in Westchester County aren’t just entertainment hubs; they are key players in driving the region’s tourism economy. At the same time, we all agree that Westchester County’s amazing landscape and proximity to the busy heart of New York City make it appealing to visitors who would like to either relax or venture on an adventure.
However, one of the less discussed but hugely impactful players in the tourism arena of the county is casinos. In addition to providing entertainment, these facilities play a very key role in augmenting the tourism industry locally, contributing to economic growth, and making the community atmosphere more vibrant.
Tourism Development via Casinos
Casinos enhance the tourism sector of a country in the following ways.
The Appeal of Gaming Facilities to Tourists
These days, tourists are being drawn to locations with established gaming facilities, like Westchester County. Statistics have shown that many of those who visited the Empire City Casino at Yonkers were not residents of the county; instead, they came from other places and even spent a weekend or night of entertainment.
Such patrons don’t visit casinos to play slot games alone but also dine out, visit other attractions, or shop, thereby helping create a rippling effect that will benefit the community as a whole. Additionally, gaming casinos usually work in conjunction with local tourism boards to promote other attractions in the area. Such synergy also attracts guests to see more than just gaming tables, thereby helping them discover the cultural and natural beauties of Westchester County.
Marketing and Promotions
Some casinos and local tourist boards in New York are now collaborating on marketing campaigns. This is a smart move towards economic development. By sharing resources, both parties will be able to reach more people with meaningful campaigns that spotlight the special activities one can enjoy in Westchester.
For instance, joint promotions that couple hotel stays with casino packages can entice visitors to extend their trip, exploring monuments, parks, and local arts alongside their casino experience.
Infrastructure Development
Another reason casinos are good drivers for tourism development in any country is their effect on local infrastructure development. For instance, Westchester has witnessed significant improvements in the available means of transportation, hospitality services, and public facilities around gaming facilities to welcome the increasing number of tourists thronging to play games.
For example, the establishment of shuttle services from hotels to casinos clearly depicts that the presence of a casino can lead to infrastructure enhancements. Moreover, the demand for upgraded roads, better parking facilities, and public transport options benefits all residents, not just tourists.
Economic Impact of Casinos
One of the benefits of increased tourism in Westchester County is its economic development. Below are some of the ways tourism has directly impacted the economy of the state:
Job Creation
One of the most immediate economic benefits brought about by casinos is job creation. Places like the Empire City Casino employ thousands of people directly in Westchester County. Positions run the gamut from dealers to hospitality staff, security personnel, and administrative roles. But it doesn’t stop there venues also create indirect employment opportunities.
These businesses have a multiplier effect on the local economy. Just as you know increased tourism translates into increased demand for hotels, restaurants, and retail stores. What this means is that as casinos are successful and prosper, so too do the businesses that support them, in creating a more durable local economy.
Revenue Generation
The casinos bring in much more than just jobs. It is a major revenue source for local and state governments through various taxes and levies imposed on them. Quite often, the funds generated from these levies are used to provide vital public services; hence, casinos are an integral part of Westchester’s economy.
It’s worth mentioning that these casinos are heavily tasked by the US government as a means of revenue generation, owing to the fact that they rake in billions of dollars yearly. Therefore, large chunks of the money used to finance the development of local schools, infrastructure projects, and community services that go a long way in improving the quality of life for the residents can be traced back to casinos.
Future Prospects For Casino Tourism
The synergy between casinos and tourism in Westchester as it is in most parts of the world is bound to grow stronger in the coming years. A trend that will continue to make people come to a facility includes experiential offerings such as live entertainment, foodie restaurants, or themed events.
Such experiences combined with traditional gaming, will allow many more people to participate, including families and non-gamblers. Also, the rate of employment in casinos and casino-related sectors in New York is projected to grow from over 7,800 jobs in 2023 to about 13,500 jobs by 2029, marking a 70.6% increase driven primarily the casino tourism.
