Casinos, crime, and community costs

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Grinols, EL; Mustard, DB
• 署名单位: Baylor University; University System of Georgia; University of Georgia
• 刊物名称: REVIEW OF ECONOMICS AND STATISTICS
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0034-6535
• 发表日期: 2006-02
• 页码: 28-45
• 关键词: deterrence

摘要

We examine the relationship between casinos and crime using county-level data for the United States between 1977 and 1996. Casinos were nonexistent outside Nevada before 1978, and expanded to many other states during our sample period. Most factors that reduce crime occur before or shortly after a casino opens, whereas those that increase crime, including problem and pathological gambling, occur over time. The results suggest that the effect on crime is low shortly after a casino opens, and grows over time. Roughly 8% of crime in casino counties in 1996 was attributable to casinos, costing the average adult $75 per year.