Springfield, Mass. Metropolis Council has voted unanimously to increase a ban on new pawn retailers and second-hand jewellery sellers within the space, WAMC Northeast Public Radio stories.
A pawn store in Springfield, though whether or not it’s Springfield, Mass. can’t be instantly confirmed. (Picture: Gracie Movies)
The council applied the ban in 2014 when MGM Resorts formally utilized for a license to function a on line casino within the metropolis.
Three years earlier, Massachusetts residents voted to vary the state structure to permit gaming, creating three on line casino licenses and one for a slots parlor. The MGM Springfield opened its doorways in 2018.
Poverty Line
Supporters of a on line casino within the metropolis hoped it might deliver jobs and much-needed financial rejuvenation. Within the 12 months earlier than the vote, 26.8% of the inhabitants of Springfield have been under the poverty line, in accordance with the US Census Bureau (USCB).
However others anxious {that a} huge on line casino would have a adverse impact on the town’s giant low-income neighborhood.
Such resorts are normally situated away from metropolis facilities. However the MGM Springfield was to be inbuilt downtown Springfield. Metropolis councilors have been involved the brand new on line casino would deliver an avalanche of companies that preyed on stricken gamblers.
Springfield continues to have a disproportionate share of pawn retailers and secondhand sellers when put next with different Gateway Cities throughout the Commonwealth,” Metropolis Councilor Mike Fenton informed WAMC Wednesday. That’s why he believes the ban ought to stay in place.
There are six pawn retailers and 30 secondhand sellers within the metropolis, which has a inhabitants of round 154,000. In close by Worcester, with a inhabitants of round 185,000, there are 4 pawn retailers and 20 secondhand shops.
Pandemic Skewed Knowledge
In 2014, the council additionally applied a system that requires pawn retailers to maintain digital data, together with images, of things they accepted. Fenton stated this had been profitable in decreasing crime and curbing the secondary market in stolen items.
However the metropolis council hasn’t been in a position to do a correct case examine on whether or not the on line casino’s arrival elevated the variety of pawn store transactions, as a result of knowledge has been skewed by the pandemic. The on line casino closed for 4 months in 2020 and reopened with lowered capability.
Extending the moratorium on pawn retailers for an additional three years will permit the council to assemble extra knowledge, which it hopes will reply that query.
The excellent news is that the MGM Springfield has not had a disastrous influence on the town’s poverty ranges. However neither has it dramatically improved them. Based on the USCB, poverty ranges in Springfield in July 2021 have been at 25.5%, down 1.3% from 2011, when households have been nonetheless feeling the pinch of the Nice Recession.
