Common Sense: Casino Gaming Needs to Return to Cuba...Viva Casino!

Professor Nelson Rose, an expert on gaming law, penned a recent article entitled, "Cuba Needs Casinos."  In it, he describes past and recent history and noted how when liberalization comes to Cuba (it will, just a matter of time), that casino gaming and the revenues generated therefrom, will help bring Cuba back economically.

They had gambling back before Castro, but organized crime took in the lion's share of the revenues.  Now, with regulated wagering in place, all parties will benefit.  Notice that governments, even authoritarian ones like Vietnam and China, have casino gambling.  It is become apparent that the issue with gambling from governments is not the right or wrong with gambling; it's who is getting the money.  If the government is getting enough money, in its view, gambling is fine.

That fact bodes well for Cuba.  Proper regulated gambling, coupled with the great resort venue Cuba was, and will be again, makes Cuba an excellent bet for gambling reintroduction.  I'm betting on Cuba reintroducing gambling within the next ten years.

Another venue that is a great opportunity for casino gambling is Hawaii.  Why there aren't a casino resorts on Waikiki, Kona, Maui and Kauai is a travesty.  If Macao and Singapore are enjoying great casino gambling success, just think what success a resort venue like Hawaii would enjoy?  They do well now with regard to tourism, but add casino gambling and Hawaii would rival Macao and Singapore with regard to casino revenues.  This similar resort locale profile is why there was interest in opening casino gambling in Miami a couple of years back.  Sooner or later government will see the light and make a play for that revenue.

As gambling becomes even more mainstream, gambling will be increasingly viewed as a painless tax.  If locales like Havana, Miami and Maui embrace casino gambling, Las Vegas will have even more worries.

To check out more of Professor Rose's excellent articles, go to his website.