Most say “NO” on tripadvisor website re casinos in Cayman
Casinos…how would they affect your GC vacation planning?
Apr 18, 2013, 2:16 PM
“Been reading articles concerning permitting casino gambling on Grand Cayman. While I realize boosting revenue becomes increasingly crucial, also will say one major reason we vacation on Grand Cayman is due to no gambling there which contributes to its special overall ambiance.
“Would be interested in knowing what your view is of casinos on GC…especially those like us who have been vacationing there for decades.”
Replies
1. Re: Casinos…how would they affect your GC vacation planning?
Apr 18, 2013, 2:23 PM
I would be dead against them. I think it changes the tone of a place significantly, and that would be bad for what Cayman is known for – safe family-oriented vacations.
In my opinion, Grand Cayman needs more beds for folks staying overnight, whether that is hotels or condos. That alone will bring in a ton more revenue than any casino would.
GC needs to set itself apart for the other places in the Caribbean – it needs a differentiator. Right now, based on posts on here, it’s that Cayman is clean, low crime, and family-friendly. I think that Casinos would reduce all of those.
A lawyer that I have worked with on the island who has lived here for several decades, says that the place is getting more and more “like Miami”, and he didn’t mean that in a good way.
2. Re: Casinos…how would they affect your GC vacation planning?
Apr 18, 2013, 2:30 PM
I’d simply avoid them like I do the Dolphin Captivity Centers and Turtle Meat Processing Facility. Been to plenty of places with casinos, just don’t partake of their offerings and still have managed to have enjoyable stays.
3. Re: Casinos…how would they affect your GC vacation planning?
Apr 18, 2013, 3:25 PM
I’m with TravelingBritNY. It would change the tenor and appeal of the place. I would be very saddened. Might as well start going to Aruba then…it’s cheaper.
4. Re: Casinos…how would they affect your GC vacation planning?
Apr 18, 2013, 3:41 PM
I’m sure I’ll be in the minority who are for the idea. More development, jobs, income, a less dramatic seasonal shift in tourist numbers and tourists who stay longer on average. These would be positive developments for the island. Perhaps a Casino de Monte-Carlo situation where locals are prohibited from gambling would appease some
Then again, a big problem in the immediate future is passenger numbers and crucially, the average length of stay. Cruise shippers, while common, don’t stick around long enough. The new hotels popping up along with a logical re-assessment of the antiquated liquor laws (especially pertaining to Saturday midnight closings) would be a double boost and a reinvigorated music scene would soon follow
There are some simple fixes that could help the situation before anything as drastic as a casino complex need be contemplated but if the previous track record of stalled progress continues, there may be little choice. I say that as someone who’s been privy to discussions about extending licensing times for over 5 years now, only a small amount of progress has been made.
5. Re: Casinos…how would they affect your GC vacation planning?
Apr 18, 2013, 3:52 PM
Cayman is not a cheap place to vacation; so I doubt you’d see an influx of the type of tourists equated to the stereotypical bus loads of senior citizens come to blow their Social Security checks, or the rowdy working class yahoos complaining about not getting comped, etc…
But you never know.
Take TCI as an example. Provo is a similarly positioned vacation destination as GC and they have casinos. I am pretty sure the casinos are not the draw there nor have they negatively impacted he non-gamblers vacation experience…
On second thought, if the casinos would draw the mainly from the cruise ship population and take many of them off the beaches and away from the other tourist attractions, well maybe they are not such a bad idea…
6. Re: Casinos…how would they affect your GC vacation planning?
Apr 18, 2013, 4:11 PM
I agree with Saj. It would be good for the economy. It would also have no impact on my vacation time as I spend ZERO time in George Town or anywhere on SMB.
7. Re: Casinos…how would they affect your GC vacation planning?
Apr 18, 2013, 4:17 PM
It would change the flavour of what for me is the draw to the island. I think of it as a more family friendly place. The only place where I have seen casinos that are not high end not be a draw back was in Melbourne (probably true of the rest of OZ). However people there also don’t expect to get into bars without a shirt with a collar (yes even the college crowd). What have casinos done for Atlantic City or most of Vegas. It would be a real nail in the coffin in my book. Too bad the country doesn’t capitalize on the things that make it special and stop wanting to emulate whatever any other country is doing. If I wanted casinos there are plenty of much cheaper destinations I could choose. Big no in my book!
8. Re: Casinos…how would they affect your GC vacation planning?
Apr 18, 2013, 4:28 PM
Yes, casino(s) would change the island, but then so did the influx of foreign banks, the commercialization of Rum Point, the “courting” of cruise ships (I remember when there might be 1 or 2 per week), the building of Caymana Bay (Georgetown has never been the same) and, IMHO, the overbuilding along Seven Mile Beach. So glad I have always stayed on the North Side, where changes have occurred since I first visited in the winter of 1969/70, but not with such drastic results.
9. Re: Casinos…how would they affect your GC vacation planning?
Apr 18, 2013, 5:10 PM
Have any studies been done on what happens to the crime rates on Caribbean islands when casinos are brought in?
I have heard anecdotal stories that it increases, but tend not to believe anecdotes. I would also question whether folks who would go to the casinos (and presumably eat there and drink there) would cause a reduction in the business of local bars and restaurants. So not sure that it would automatically be a boost for the economy, due to what I hear is a lack of overnight accommodation on the island.
If we’re building it for the cruise folks (who usually have a casino on board), then I think it’s misguided.
10. Re: Casinos…how would they affect your GC vacation planning?
Apr 18, 2013, 5:28 PM
I think that lovecayman’s question was about the impact on vacation plans of people who have singled out Grand Cayman overall — not particular areas. My guess would be that if casinos are allowed in one part, they will be in others. Owners of large tracts of land on the EE will be just as anxious to get in on the new business opportunities as those on the EE and Northside. They have been looking at everything from big hotels to helipads so far in an effort to get more people out there! In fact the land there would probably be cheaper and the roads are in place. So while I don’t think where my place is on the canal will be impacted, in fact it might have more guests, I was thinking of the impact on the island as a whole, not just the part that I am in. Is this what you meant LC? I agree that it might be good for the economy of the island overall, but I thought the question was more about how we would be affected in our views of GC as a place we choose to go.
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These comments have not been selected or at random. They are the first 10 of 33 on the site.
Although the Cayman Islands Tourism Association members seem overwhelmingly in favour of some form of gaming/casino in the Cayman Islands not every one of our tourists agree with that view.
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