Having been to Las Vegas many times I can assure you that casinos can and do work together right alongside schools, churches and neighborhood businesses.

The same is true in Sydney and Halifax, Nova Scotia, Providence, R.I., and Niagara Falls, just to name a few of the hundreds of cities that allow casinos.

What’s also unique about all these cities is that their casinos are centrally located. They create jobs, pay taxes back to the city and state or province, and create another entertainment option just like movie theaters, ice rinks, bowling alleys and restaurants. Although we don’t all patronize these places, we allow them to be a part of our communities.

A casino is not the only piece of the pie, but a pivotal piece that will spur other hotels, restaurants and shopping. All these new riverfront downtown businesses will also create jobs.

The only gaming question on this year’s ballot that makes sense is Question 3, the Lewiston casino. Being centrally located in a downtown hub will deliver the biggest economic impact on the state of Maine.

I hope voters from every corner of this state to vote yes, not only for Lewiston-Auburn, but for themselves.

Larry Gilbert Jr., Auburn