The Albuquerque Journal North Section article about the festivities at the New Mexico Association awards dinner relates the following:

New Mexico restaurants have been noticing a reduction in revenue since the tribal casino compacts were signed in 1995. An "Elizabeth Lou' McLod, co-owner of Julian's, was named restaurateur of the year at the Feb. 18 New Mexico Restaurant Association awards dinner-but not everyone felt they had something to celebrate. As the Legislature grapples with Indian gaming compacts, restaurant owners are watching their revenues decline, and they blame the casinos.

"McLod and other winners were applauded, but there was an undercurrent of worry at this year's dinner - worry about the effect gambling has had on the New Mexico restaurant industry."
 
 In a town that relies heavily on restaurants for tax revenues, employment and attracting tourists, a loss of restaurants near the proposed casino would be catastrophic for our local economy. Bars and restaurants that serve alcohol will also be seriously affected by the opening of a casino that serves alcohol, as is planned by Taos Casino Enterprises.

ì For every $1 the gambling revenue brings into the state, it will cost the residents between $3 and $7 in hidden costs.î
Prof. John Kindt
Business Dept. of the University of Illinois

"The business-economic environment caused by Colorado casinos forced so many of the preexisting local businesses to close that by 1992 residents of Central City and Black Hawk, Colorado, had to drive forty miles for a quart of milk."
 
 ìIn Cripple Creek, CO. The number of retail shops have shrunk from 60 to 10.î
Rocky Mountain News 9/92
 Black Hawk, Colorado expected a higher crime rate, and the town hired 22 new cops (up from one half-time marshal in the old days). But the residents weren't prepared for the kinds of crimes they're getting: in addition to assault and criminal mischief, says police spokeswoman Dixie Lovinger, "We have an inordinate amount of urinating in public".- Her alderman husband,Bill gets a little embarrassed when he talks about the new sewage plant Black Hawk has to build. "Basically, uh, people tend to drink while they're gambling, and the sewage has a particular quality." A high alcohol content kills the bacteria that eat sewage.