Slots Near Malls Not So Welcomed

Arundel Mills, a developer, has proposed installing 4,750 video slot machines adjacent to an outlet mall, after Maryland surprisingly legalized slot machines. This mall is known for its low prices at Aeropostale and movies at an Egyptian style theater.

Many customers are surprised that the gambling station will be located next to an outlet mall, but times are dire, the retail industry is hurting and state and government coffers are running dry. As a result, many local leaders are cautiously embracing the venture, while on the flip side, many residents and mall customers worry that it might increase traffic congestion and crime.

The casino plan was proposed by Cordish, a Baltimore based development firm, working with the mall’s owner, Simon Property Group. The goals and aims of the project is currently being shrouded by mystery and confidentiality status, except that it would be a separate structure and open only to people 21 and older. Perhaps, this is one of the reasons why the business community has displayed opposition in recent weeks to reluctant acceptance.

Malls operate on similar principles as casinos: easy access, consumer awareness and figuring every way possible to get people to part with their money. On the flip side of all the negativity and hesitancy surrounding this new mall project, there are some consumers who feel that if the economics of having gambling sites around a mall make sense, then why bother complaining? As Melinda Clayton of Hanover states “Maybe there’ll be more traffic. Maybe there’ll be a slight increase in crime. But if it brings revenue, I say go for it!”