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How casinos became part of the economy of megacities
Introduction: From the "entertainment suburb" to the urban core
Twenty years ago, casinos were more often associated with resorts or suburbs. Today, megacities include them in the structure of the city as multifunctional clusters: not only gambling halls, but also hotels, congress centers, arenas, gastronomy, museums, public spaces. So the casino ceases to be an "end in itself" and becomes a mechanism for urban development: tax base, employment, tourism, renewal of districts, city brand - subject to clear rules of responsibility.
1) The evolution of urban integration: four waves
1. Peripheral halls (until the 2000s): a bet on transit demand, limited urban effect.
2. City casino hotels: entrance to the central arteries, connection with theaters and shopping.
3. Integrated Resort (IR): congress center + arenas + shopping + family activities; the share of non-gaming revenue is growing.
4. Clusters and waterfront-rethinking: revitalization of industrial zones/ports, embankments, walking routes, public spaces around the complex.
2) The economy of the metropolis: where value is added
Fiscal base: GGR taxes, profit, VAT/sales, tourist fees, licenses.
Employment: direct (casino & hospitality) and indirect (logistics, farmers, events, cleaning, security, IT).
MICE stabilizer: conferences/exhibitions provide off-season loading; RevPAR and average length of stay are growing.
Network multiplier: restaurants, shops, museums, taxis, shows. The complex becomes the "anchor" of weekend and business traffic.
Reinvestment in the city: improvement, transport interchanges, cultural programs - as part of the license conditions.
3) Urban planning models
IR in the center: a large congress and hotel block, pedestrian galleries, integration with theaters and parks.
Cluster on the embankment: link with the embankment, cycling routes, open areas, event agenda.
Transit-Oriented Development: metro/railway nodes, minimizing autoload, "last mile" shuttles.
Hybrid mixed development: housing, offices, art campuses nearby - so that life does not freeze "outside the show."
4) Development and real estate
Window effect: rising prices within a pedestrian radius with competent zoning and quotas for local businesses.
Anticannibalization: mandatory areas for NPOs, local producer markets, creative workshops.
ESG architecture: energy efficiency, green roofs, water reuse, low-noise facades.
5) Transport and flows
Entrance gates: direct flights/high-speed trains + visa simplifications for MICE.
Intracity logistics: dedicated public transport lanes, perimeter parking, "car-free core."
Smart navigation: wayfinding, digital maps, accessibility for MGN, night taxi and car sharing routes.
6) Social contract and risks
Problem game: tools of limits, self-exclusion, "reality checks," financing assistance programs.
Uneven benefits: rental growth, crowding out small businesses - is solved by quotas, subsidies, "rent at cost" for local ones.
AML/KYC and security: transaction monitoring, personnel training, cooperation with law enforcement.
Ecology and Noise: Energy/Water/Waste Standards, Event Zoning, Quiet Hours.
7) Urban brand and event economy
Show residencies and sports: arenas, fights, e-sports - international coverage.
Culture and gastro: festivals, museum collaborations, chef restaurants and local farmers' markets.
Calendar 365: alternating MICE, tournament series, gastro weeks, street festivals.
8) Responsible play (RG) standards in the metropolis
By default in the product: deposit/time/bet limits, timeout, self-exclusion in 1-2 clicks.
Communication: honest conditions, age/geo-barriers, anti-romanticization of "easy money."
RG metrics: share of players with active limits, calls for help, average time before processing a request.
9) KPI of a metropolitan cluster: count not only GGR
Share of non-gaming revenue in total revenue.
RevPAR and mean length of stay.
MICE days of the year and loading on weekdays.
Localization of purchases (share of local supplies).
Employment and salaries in hospitality.
Transport KPIs (share of OT/walk, time to point).
ESG indicators (energy per guest, water, waste).
RG-indicators (coverage by limits, support response time).
10) Mistakes worth avoiding
1. Game only bet: no MICE/show/culture multiplier is small.
2. Autoload: lack of TOD - traffic jams, discontent of residents.
3. Gentrification without compensation: rental growth and displacement of small businesses.
4. "Invisible" RG: tools are there, but hidden - reputational risks.
5. Import dependence: high "leakage" of income from the region → minimal local effect.
11) Roadmaps
City Hall/Regulator
Determine the model (IR/cluster/waterfront), conduct an independent assessment of the effects.
Build non-gaming, procurement localization, RG and ESG KPIs into the license terms.
Invest in OT and public spaces, TOD zoning.
Create a Responsible Gaming and Sustainability Fund, publish open data.
Investor/Operator
Design MICE, arenas, family zones, public spaces "from day one."
Set up cashless/quick payments, transparent cash register; RG tools in 1-2 clicks.
Partner with local suppliers and creative industries (contracts, quotas).
Report on ESG/RG, service quality and logistics KPIs.
Community/residents
Participate in public hearings; require transparent KPIs and reporting.
Develop local business around the cluster (markets, services, kraft).
Monitor compliance with quiet hours, availability and green standards.
Tourists/guests
Plan budget/time, use limits and breaks.
Discover the "second belt" of the city: museums, gastro-quarters, parks.
12) Horizon 2030 +: What to be
IR 2. 0: non-gaming share> 60%; multi-format arenas, esports, hybrid congresses.
Smart destination: stream analytics, dynamic traffic and event management, green routes.
Cashless ID & biometrics (where legal): seamless login/payment, personal RG profiles.
AR/VR layers: immersive exhibitions, the "second screen" of urban experience.
Social guarantees: portable self-exclusion between city sites, uniform advertising standards.
Conclusion: Casino as a stage, not the center of the universe
Casinos become part of the metropolitan economy when they are embedded in the urban fabric: connecting MICE, culture, sports, gastronomy, public spaces and transportation. Then the "game ruble" turns into a long chain of value for residents and businesses, and social risks are managed by transparent rules and technologies of responsibility. Cities that design experience ecosystems, not just halls, win - and share the benefits fairly.