The Austin-based developer, looking for creating a massive casino-based complex in the Odessa area, is awaiting approval of local oficials.
Texas discusses wide-scale casino project near Odessa
The Austin-based developer, looking for creating a massive casino-based complex in the Odessa area, is awaiting approval of local officials. The gambling project, known as the West Texas Oasis, would include a par-3 golf course, a hotel and conference center, a manmade lake and a row of restaurants in addition to a casino. If the the deal is supported by the legislation, the casino will substantially fuel local economy.
“We want to keep tourists here in Texas,” Keenan said to The Odessa American. “We want to mandate a project so beautiful that people say they’re going to the Permian Basin to have a good time.”
According to $160,000 study prepared by Odessa economist Ray Perryman, the gambling resort would keep the majority of Texan gamblers in Odessa. About 76 percent of people questioned prefer staying in the state rather than moving to Oklahoma, New Mexico or Mississippi in order to feed their gambling habit.
“I think a casino would stimulate a lot of economic activity, expand our trade area and bring more entertainment options as well,” Perryman commented on the study, focused on changing the legislation in favour of gambling initiative. “It would also create substantial employment opportunities with good pay and benefits. It makes no sense to keep throwing money away to other states".
“The studies I have seen indicate that various forms of gaming are already available and that Texas currently pays the social costs of gaming without the corresponding benefits,” he said.
The casino resort could collect $2.158 billion for the state and $729.7 million for local governments via taxes. The Permian Basin project plan calls for $150 million in construction costs, which would be spent on local contractors and regional suppliers, and create at least 800 permanent full-time jobs. Besides, the casino initiative may facilitate the tourism in the area. About 3,500 out-of-county visitors are expected to attend the proposed casino complex each day.
“If they get off the road for cheap food, sure they’re likely to put a quarter in the slot machines, but more important to the counties, they’re likely to go look at the museums,” Keenan added.
