That would be a big problem here in northern NJ as well (if they re-purposed the Meadowlands as many indicated they wished to); it is too close to areas where it is difficult to even run a Wal0Mart because of the rampant crime committed by an impulsive, low-information population nearby (the Wal-Marts aren’t in the ghettoes, but are magnets for the denizens of them).
The question failed on the ballot because Atlantic City’s failure was too easy to see for all, and it pre-dated the recent casino closures. Parking lots on the way into the city served buses carrying casino workers from Philadelphia into AC every day, while AC’s population lay around stealing, getting high, and selling women. The casino revenues built some pretty government buildings like schools, but did nothing for the creatures swarming a couple of blocks from the glitzy strip.
“The Chinese community, the spokespeople said, had/have such a problem with gambling that a casino so close to home would be a disaster for them and their families”
More likely it would cut in to their businesses. Ever see all those Chinese restaurants that never seem to have customers yet stay in business year after year?
I realize this is just anecdotal, but when I visited an Indian casino in SoCal, the roulette tables gamblers were all Chinese/Orientals. They covered the betting table for each spin of the wheel—hundreds of chips. It does seem that gambling appeals to them on a deep level.