Casino gaming is associated with an increase in personal bankruptcy in seven of the eight communities studied. Yet, in Biloxi, which has the most casinos, bankruptcy was down. Destination resort casinos attract a larger percentage of tourists than single-casino towns, thus creating more economic benefits due to the greater influx of visitors. People who perceived a greater percentage of the population as having a gambling problem tended to have negative attitudes towards gambling in general. Residents of Biloxi tended to strongly favor casinos, while residents of East Peoria and Sioux City tended to feel the opposite.
Satisfaction is a multi-dimensional factor.
Further study is needed, researchers conclude. To be included in the study, communities must have had casino gaming for at least four years but less than 10 years and be able to provide crime statistics. Native American casinos were excluded because they are often in rural areas and criminal statistics were unavailable.