Here is a study on the relationship between crime and electronic gambling expenditures in Victoria, Australia. It shows a consistent positive and significant relationship between gambling and crime rates, especially income-generating
crime rates, at the local level.
The Relationship Between Crime and Electronic Gambling Expenditures
A 2006 study by the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston found that patrons who frequent casinos catering to local markets do not bring in any new money to the local economy and are simply substituting gambling for other goods and services. Nationwide the overwhelming majority of casinos cater to locals.
This report prepared for the Ontario Problem Gambling Research Centre found that 60% of machine revenue was derived from problem gamblers and that 35% of total gambling revenue was derived from moderate and severe problem gamblers.
An independent New Hampshire Gambling Commission study found that bringing one casino to the state would take away seven existing local jobs for every 10 casino jobs created – yet another example how predatory gambling operators willfully exaggerate the lure of jobs to mislead public opinion. The same report showed one casino would raise $219 million in state revenue but the total social cost would be $287.7 million: a net drain of $68.7 million. Who do you think pays that tab?
Taxable retail sales in Iowa cities without casinos grew more than five times faster than sales in cities with casinos, leading researchers to conclude, “the operation of a casino in a mid-size city, far from contributing to economic development, creates a measurable drain on the economy of the city.” Lori Fairchild, PhD, “Impact of Casinos on Retail Sales in Mid-Size Iowa Cities,” Great Plains Business & Economics Conference, Omaha Federal Reserve Bank, Oct. 28, 2005
MIT Professor Natasha Schull writes about the design and technology behind electronic gambling machines in this must-read Washington Post essay.
Internet gambling is one of the most predatory businesses in the world which is why public opinion polls show that two out of three Americans oppose its legalization.
This Annenberg National Risk Survey of Youth revealed how severe the problem of gambling has become among America’s youth and the situation has only worsened since. Within the report were several major findings including more young men ages 14 to 17 have tried gambling than cigarette smoking or drinking alcohol and almost nine in ten youth (88%) who gambled weekly in both private and public venues reported one or more problems with their gambling. Although it was not possible to make precise projections of future gambling pathology from these symptoms, the report said, they were indicative of greater risk for gambling problems among youth who gamble regularly.
New York State government released a stunning report showing 10% of adolescents in the state currently have a gambling problem and an additional 10% currently are at risk for developing a gambling problem. That means over 300,000 adolescents in New York State either have or are at risk of having a serious gambling problem.
A review of demographic studies commissioned by the South Carolina Education Lottery showed: African-Americans made up 19% of the state’s adult population but accounted for almost 39% of frequent players; people in households earning under $40,000 accounted for 28% of the state’s population but made up 54% percent of frequent players; people with no high school diploma accounted for 8% of the state’s population and 21% of frequent players; and people whose highest educational achievement is a high school diploma or GED made up 25% of the total population and 34% percent of frequent players.