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Mini-casino blocked — for now

City Council voted Thursday to opt out of a mini-casino, an idea supported by Mayor Gabriel J. Campana as a means of adding lively entertainment and revenue.

With the city opting out, the state law permits it to opt back in if the merits and situation change.

Councilman Randall J. Allison said there are unknowns and confusion and study that needs to be done quickly. If it is rejected totally, it can’t be revisited, he said. He said he wants to see a zoning study, learn more about the potential size of the casinos and perhaps read some literature that might be available for the state lawmakers.

The city would need 1,000 to 1,500 spaces for vehicles to park and 100,000 square feet.

“For the record, I want to make it clear that I have been neither pro or con concerning a mini casino,” Campana said prior to the meeting. “I do not frequent this type of business nor do not personally know any owners nor operators. However, this is a legal choice for citizens to make whether they want to visit a casino.”

“Never once, has council reached out to me or asked me any questions at several public meetings that we have attended together … only preliminary discussions have occurred.”

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