Should we be excited or disgusted that Ira Lubert is building a casino at Penn State?

[ChiTownLion]

Yes, casinos are fun, and yes they do generate tax revenues... largely by emptying the pockets of degenerates and people fighting addiction. And, yes, they do attract a certain element that could be considered fun by some, but are prostitutes, bookies, mob bosses and bagmen really that much of a value-add?

Does Ira Lubert -- and his syndicate of capital partners -- stand to make a small fortune on this development courtesy of his power and influence as the chairman of the Penn State Board of Trustees?

What does this casino bring to the Penn State community?

If you were James Franklin, what are your thoughts? Does this put his student-athletes and the health of his program at risk? Think back to Mike McQueary. State College is a small town and it wouldn't be hard to find guys like Mike who might be willing to influence the outcome of a game for personal gain.

 

[NitneLiun]

Shouldn't "Don't Give A Shit" be one of the poll options?

 

[ChiTownLion]

Shouldn't "Don't Give A Shit" be one of the poll options?

Write-in answers are always welcomed, but this example would probably be covered by the category of "unsure."

I'm not saying there's no benefit. Just wondering if there's a net benefit and if it's worth the hassle. Maybe it is. Maybe it triggers a flurry of economic activity in Centre County.

From the perspective of a football coach, looks like another unwanted distraction. Same for university professors. But it gives tourists another reason to visit and empty their wallets.

 

[Rip_E_2_Joe_PA]

Why would anyone vote in the melodramatically presented poll?

 

[ForesterGump]

Are they going to have sports betting at the casino?

 

[marshall23]

I would only get excited if the building caved in on him as he was giving a tour to Judas Joyner.

 

[AWS1022]

Maybe they can use it as a bag man system....recruits get special automatic winning cards for the slot machines or video poker machines. It will keep them in cash and get the fans that NC we are owed.

 

[BobPSU92]

Maybe a dumb question, but who is the target audience for the casino, the locals or visitors? Will the casino have nice restaurants and entertainment? A hotel? I think it needs to be somewhat upscale to attract visitors.

 

[AWS1022]

Maybe a dumb question, but who is the target audience for the casino, the locals or visitors? Will the casino have nice restaurants and entertainment? A hotel? I think it needs to be somewhat upscale to attract visitors.

Casinos attract everyone....people can’t wait to lose their money and it doesn’t have to be upscale. Hell, the little video lottery places in some states are jam packed constantly.

 

[NittPicker]

I read the casino would be more of a mini-casino to be located at the Nittany Mall. That isn't exactly what I'd call a must see destination. My prediction is the casino will be a failure. Like most other past and present BOT members looking to make a buck, they use the Penn State alumni base to be their marks. The problem with that is nobody is going to make a special trip to State College to gamble. That leaves locals and students as the potential casino patrons. However a person must be 21 to gamble in a PA casino so that eliminates a huge chunk of the students. How many locals will make the trip to a decrepit mall to lose money playing slots??

 

[Erial_Lion]

If you were James Franklin, what are your thoughts? Does this put his student-athletes and the health of his program at risk? Think back to Mike McQueary. State College is a small town and it wouldn't be hard to find guys like Mike who might be willing to influence the outcome of a game for personal gain.

The amount of $ gambled legally is a drop in the bucket compared to that changing hands offshore and/or local bookies (not to mention doing it legally online now).

This would change absolutely nothing.

 

[BobPSU92]

Casinos attract everyone....people can’t wait to lose their money and it doesn’t have to be upscale. Hell, the little video lottery places in some states are jam packed constantly.

I get that, but the upscale casinos bring in more than the hardcore gamblers.

 

[psu00]

Yes, casinos are fun, and yes they do generate tax revenues... largely by emptying the pockets of degenerates and people fighting addiction. And, yes, they do attract a certain element that could be considered fun by some, but are prostitutes, bookies, mob bosses and bagmen really that much of a value-add?

Does Ira Lubert -- and his syndicate of capital partners -- stand to make a small fortune on this development courtesy of his power and influence as the chairman of the Penn State Board of Trustees?

What does this casino bring to the Penn State community?

If you were James Franklin, what are your thoughts? Does this put his student-athletes and the health of his program at risk? Think back to Mike McQueary. State College is a small town and it wouldn't be hard to find guys like Mike who might be willing to influence the outcome of a game for personal gain.

I’m not an expert on casinos but I’m not sure how much ‘benefit’ they really bring in. It’s 1 thing to be a big magnet site like Vegas, but these smaller ones?

In any event, it’s not going to be some big draw to pull visitors to Centre County (despite what Ira and company might say). Why drive to the less than impressive State College mall (especially in the winter) for a small casino when there are so many others closer to home?

A quick search showed 12 Pennsylvania casinos already- Philadelphia, Chester, Bensalem, King of Prussia, Grantville (Harrisburg), Wilkes Barre, Mount Pocono, and Bethlehem in eastern PA as well as Pittsburgh, Washington, Farmington, and Erie in western PA.

I think it’s pretty clear this casino is aimed at taking money from locals instead of visitors. It does add another headache/ potential for problems for Franklin and other PSU coaches that they didn’t have to deal with before.

 

[wbcincy]

prostitutes, bookies, mob bosses and bagmen

I’ve spent a lot of time in local casinos around the country. This is kind of comically dramatic.

 

[PSU_Nut]

I’ve spent a lot of time in local casinos around the country. This is kind of comically dramatic.

People are just upset that Ira Lubert is tied to the project. If it was someone else this wouldn't even be a discussion on this board. These small casinos are basically a large Dave and Busters or Chuckie Cheese except instead of an arcade it has slot machines and table games.

 

[cjrugger]

Yes, casinos are fun, and yes they do generate tax revenues... largely by emptying the pockets of degenerates and people fighting addiction. And, yes, they do attract a certain element that could be considered fun by some, but are prostitutes, bookies, mob bosses and bagmen really that much of a value-add?

Does Ira Lubert -- and his syndicate of capital partners -- stand to make a small fortune on this development courtesy of his power and influence as the chairman of the Penn State Board of Trustees?

What does this casino bring to the Penn State community?

If you were James Franklin, what are your thoughts? Does this put his student-athletes and the health of his program at risk? Think back to Mike McQueary. State College is a small town and it wouldn't be hard to find guys like Mike who might be willing to influence the outcome of a game for personal gain.

Why are you such a drama queen?

 

[interrobang]

but are prostitutes, bookies, mob bosses and bagmen really that much of a value-add?

Well that's a staple of SEC football recruiting

 

[Obliviax]

Yes, casinos are fun, and yes they do generate tax revenues... largely by emptying the pockets of degenerates and people fighting addiction. And, yes, they do attract a certain element that could be considered fun by some, but are prostitutes, bookies, mob bosses and bagmen really that much of a value-add?

Does Ira Lubert -- and his syndicate of capital partners -- stand to make a small fortune on this development courtesy of his power and influence as the chairman of the Penn State Board of Trustees?

What does this casino bring to the Penn State community?

If you were James Franklin, what are your thoughts? Does this put his student-athletes and the health of his program at risk? Think back to Mike McQueary. State College is a small town and it wouldn't be hard to find guys like Mike who might be willing to influence the outcome of a game for personal gain.

IMHO gambling is simply a vice no different than booze, drugs, cigarettes, over-eating, sex, etc. You either have the willpower to beat them or you succumb. If you are going to lose your money at a casino, that isn't much different than the online betting or strip joint down the street.

Tommy Lasorda said it best "it's not a disease, it's a weakness".

 

[JustinTyme]

I’m not an expert on casinos but I’m not sure how much ‘benefit’ they really bring in. It’s 1 thing to be a big magnet site like Vegas, but these smaller ones?

In any event, it’s not going to be some big draw to pull visitors to Centre County (despite what Ira and company might say). Why drive to the less than impressive State College mall (especially in the winter) for a small casino when there are so many others closer to home?

A quick search showed 12 Pennsylvania casinos already- Philadelphia, Chester, Bensalem, King of Prussia, Grantville (Harrisburg), Wilkes Barre, Mount Pocono, and Bethlehem in eastern PA as well as Pittsburgh, Washington, Farmington, and Erie in western PA.

I think it’s pretty clear this casino is aimed at taking money from locals instead of visitors. It does add another headache/ potential for problems for Franklin and other PSU coaches that they didn’t have to deal with before.

Perhaps the target is non-science/math/engineering profs? High income, math-averse fields like arts and humanities who rate high in emotional thinking may take to this form of entertainment.

I doubt the target is the person who stops in a few times at most a year, plays a reasonable set amount understanding that it is entertainment funds and not much more.

 

[lions1995]

As someone who has only been in a Casino once, it will not attract me when I am in town.

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

I mean, if it were going to be Wynn Las Vegas sign me up. I don't gamble, but do like a good dining/bar scene.

 

[PearlSUJam]

I mean, if it were going to be Wynn Las Vegas sign me up. I don't gamble, but do like a good dining/bar scene.

It'll be just like every other casino in Pennsylvania---full of old people with the smell of bad perfume and cigarette smoke filling the air in addition to the long lines at the all you can eat buffet.

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

It'll be just like every other casino in Pennsylvania---full of old people with the smell of bad perfume and cigarette smoke filling the air in addition to the long lines at the all you can eat buffet.

Ok, hard pass.

 

[JWB389]

I can tell you the casino in Bethlehem has brought in a lot of unwelcome visitors to the surrounding neighborhoods, mostly due to the proximity to New York vs other casinos. I don't see that as a problem in State College.

I'll have to dig up the article (edit: link below), but there was a controversy a couple years ago that involved busing people in from NYC. Somebody figured out that they could take the bus from NYC and get the free casino credits (value exceeded the cost of transit). They would sell the free credits then wander around the nearby neighborhoods all day, use the public facilities, leave a mess in the parks, set up camps along the Lehigh River. People were doing this a full time job.

Beatin' the odds - link

 

[Erial_Lion]

I'll have to dig up the article, but there was a controversy a couple years ago that involved busing people in from NYC. Somebody figured out that they could take the bus from NYC and get the free casino credits (value exceeded the cost of transit). They would sell the free credits then wander around the nearby neighborhoods all day, use the public facilities, leave a mess in the parks, set up camps along the Lehigh River. People were doing this a full time job.

$18 profit for a 9 hour day...

Exclusive: Asian-American seniors riding casino buses not to gamble, but to make ends meet | abc7ny.com

Buses%20filled%20with%20people%20head%20to%20area%20casinos%20every%20day%2C%20but%20Eyewitness%20News%20exclusively%20found%20that%20many%20people%20on%20the%20buses%20aren't%20going%20to%20gamble%2C%20they're%20there%20out%20of%20necessity.

www.google.com

 

[JWB389]

$18 profit for a 9 hour day...

Exclusive: Asian-American seniors riding casino buses not to gamble, but to make ends meet | abc7ny.com

Buses%20filled%20with%20people%20head%20to%20area%20casinos%20every%20day%2C%20but%20Eyewitness%20News%20exclusively%20found%20that%20many%20people%20on%20the%20buses%20aren't%20going%20to%20gamble%2C%20they're%20there%20out%20of%20necessity.

www.google.com

Yea, there were different articles. The one you linked was the one I was remembering.

I live about 5 miles from the casino. It's a benefit to me to have it close by and far enough that I don't get the bad parts, but this is a pretty big operation. The dining and shopping and entertainment venue are great. Not sure State College would get that much benefit from it and I doubt it would be nearly close in size and scope.

 

[LemonEars]

I'm sure Penn State has a group of math prodigies who can team up and use card counting techniques to win money playing blackjack. I bet we hear about something like that soon after the new casino opens.

 

[TheBigUglies]

Why not put it in the empty store fronts in the new high rises in downtown State College and make it even more of shit hole? I am sure the borough would welcome the tax revenue. Busing in people from Philly, Pittsburgh, HBurg would bring in more money if they were walking around downtown and spending money downtown instead of out in the wastelands by the mall.

 

[Grant Green]

I’ve spent a lot of time in local casinos around the country. This is kind of comically dramatic.

So, are you a degenerate or a gambling addict (tic)?

 

[LionJim]

Perhaps the target is non-science/math/engineering profs? High income, math-averse fields like arts and humanities who rate high in emotional thinking may take to this form of entertainment.

Retired college professor here. If that group is the target, the casino is going to go broke very, very quickly. College professors, as a breed, don’t gamble. Trust me.

 

[BobPSU92]

It'll be just like every other casino in Pennsylvania---full of old people with the smell of bad perfume and cigarette smoke filling the air in addition to the long lines at the all you can eat buffet.

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

View embedded media

Love a good casino scene; Paul Thomas Anderson's first movie, Hard Eight, has a number of memorable scenes. This one is my favorite - not sure if this would work today, but fun to watch...

 

[Split_T]

I'd be interested only if it had a poker room. Slots are boring.

 

[wbcincy]

So, are you a degenerate or a gambling addict (tic)?

Yes.

 

[NoVa Lion]

Retired college professor here. If that group is the target, the casino is going to go broke very, very quickly. Trust me.

No they won't. Card counting into an 8 deck shoe with the cut card with 2+ decks remaining is worthless.

 

[JayWye]

Yes, casinos are fun, and yes they do generate tax revenues... largely by emptying the pockets of degenerates and people fighting addiction. And, yes, they do attract a certain element that could be considered fun by some, but are prostitutes, bookies, mob bosses and bagmen really that much of a value-add?

Does Ira Lubert -- and his syndicate of capital partners -- stand to make a small fortune on this development courtesy of his power and influence as the chairman of the Penn State Board of Trustees?

What does this casino bring to the Penn State community?

If you were James Franklin, what are your thoughts? Does this put his student-athletes and the health of his program at risk? Think back to Mike McQueary. State College is a small town and it wouldn't be hard to find guys like Mike who might be willing to influence the outcome of a game for personal gain.

For most folks, casinos are nothing more than a form of recreation where you don't lose more than you can afford. Can they attract the "wrong crowd"?? Sure, but so can many other forms of entertainment...horse racing, dog racing, gaming of various kinds, etc. Highly doubt there will be shadowy mob figures drawn to State College a la Vegas. So...IMO, it will be a positive addition.

 

[LionJim]

No they won't. Card counting into an 8 deck shoe with the cut card with 2+ decks remaining is worthless.

I meant to imply that college professors, as a breed, don’t gamble. Not that they know how to beat the house. I edited to clarify.

 

[Eric_M]

My vote would have been slightly favor without Lubert. Adding his name moved me to disgusted. Yet another case of our BOT enriching themselves from their positions rather than driving meaningful improvement to the school.

 

[NoVa Lion]

I meant to imply that college professors, as a breed, don’t gamble. Not that they know how to beat the house. I edited to clarify.

Got it. Makes sense since you are more likely to know and understand the odds, which heavily favor the house.

 

[PSUSignore]

largely by emptying the pockets of degenerates and people fighting addiction. And, yes, they do attract a certain element that could be considered fun by some, but are prostitutes, bookies, mob bosses and bagmen really that much of a value-add?

Ridiculous take but whatever.