Gambling boom for little Nevada town

Press, 31 January 1989, Page 34

Gambling boom for little Nevada town

By

LES BLOXHAM

It will probably be only a matter of time before New Zealand has its first casinos. As the Government continues its softening-up campaign for public acceptance of the legalised gambling dens, tourism Interests in the major cities are jostling to be first in the queue. But do casinos really need to be set up in a city? Why not pick on a small town instead — say Culverden, Kumara, Kingston or Clyde. Look at Laughlin, in Nevada, for instance. Five years ago it had a population of 90, a gas sation, and a bait shop. Today, however, it is a town of 3000 with five hotel-casinos offering 3135 rooms. Its gaming revenues rank behind only Las Vegas and Reno with its 17 per cent annual growth rate. It is the fastest growing gaming community in the United States. The main reason for the town’s success is its location — at the triangular southernmost tip of Nevada, across the Colorado River from Arizona and only half an hour from California. Gamblers are attracted by the convenient location of the town. Laughlin has carved its own niche in the gaming market. Big name entertainment, dinner jackets and evening gowns are out of place. Instead, there are reasonably priced rooms and meals and relaxing holiday sports like fishing and boating nearby. Now the town is acquiring businesses and services, like banks and a big new shopping centre. Plans for an airport have also just been approved. As New Zealand’s cities already have such amenities, why not follow Nevada’s lead and let the gamblers have their flutter in the country? They could be the answer to the rural downturn.