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In spite of the predictable protests of those who oppose gambling in general, the new "Casino Nova Scotia" opened its doors over Easter weekend to thousands hopeful gamblers.

Nonetheless, other opponents grumble because the Sheraton-owned casino maintains its head office in New York. Spokespersons for the $100 million dollar casino, however, defend against complaints that the new facility will derive the major part of its revenues from local citizens.

Nova Scotia Gaming Corp. president Marie Mullally stated that the opulent new waterfront structure is expected to be a tourist draw with its own destination appeal, yet that remains to be seen. The pre-existing casino which operated on a temporary basis over the last five years, illustrated that 75-80% of its patrons were Nova Scotians.

While the marketing plans for the newly launched casino have yet to bear fruit, it would be an intriquing little twist to encourage the international tour industry to book casino excursions to the Halifax casino (and to the Sydney operation as well for that matter). That way, foreign dollars would return to foreign bank accounts, and Halifax would still reap the benefit in spin-off revenues. That's not such a bad deal when you think about it.

Foreign investment can build a casino, an amusement park, a spa or what have you, and promote it to the global travel circuit to book up the cruise ships and air charters. Nova Scotians in turn, can market their hospitality industry and souvenir items and be employed in the casino. According to the Halifax casino operators, the 'Vegas style' facility will provide 750 local jobs.

Interestingly, while Nova Scotian patrons comprised 75% of attendance in l999, the Provincial Government boasts their year-end revenues at $77 million. How this translates to 'dollars in' and 'dollars out' of the province would require just a tad more research... but it doesn't take much brainwork to know that Nova Scotian gamblers are lining not only government coffers, but those of large international corporations as well.

So bring on the cruise ships, double the Bar Harbor ferry runs and beef up the number of flights from Europe via Iceland. Then all we have to do is figure out how to keep Nova Scotians from dropping their hard-earned salary and pension cheques at the new casino.

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