Legal Gambling and Crime: Evidence from EGMs in Alberta
نویسندگان
چکیده
Empirical evidence about the relationship between legal gambling and crime is mixed; some studies find that legalized gambling increases crime and others find no relationship between legalized gambling and crime, controlling for other factors like hotels. We develop a utility maximizing model of time spent in legal work, crime, and leisure and use this model to understand the relationship between crime and legal gambling opportunities. Our model assumes that a potential criminal is risk-neutral and always prefers more income when making time allocation decisions. The opportunity cost of crime changes with perceptions of the probability of winning when gambling. Empirically, we examine the relationship between legal gambling (Casino and VLTs) and nine types of crime in communities in Alberta, using a panel data approach. The results supporting the idea that that opportunity costs actually affect crime, and that the introduction of legal gambling can increase some crime rates and decrease others. JEL Codes: K42, L83, J22
منابع مشابه
Children’s attitudes towards Electronic Gambling Machines: an exploratory qualitative study of children who attend community clubs
BACKGROUND This research sought to explore whether children's visual and auditory exposure to Electronic Gambling Machines (EGMs) in community clubs contributed to shaping their attitudes towards these types of potentially harmful gambling products. This research also examined children's knowledge of EGM behaviours in adults within their social networks. METHODS Qualitative interviews were co...
متن کاملAttitudes towards community gambling venues and support for regulatory reform: an online panel study of residents in New South Wales, Australia
BACKGROUND Harmful gambling has been identified as an important public health issue that affects individuals, families and the broader community. One gambling product, electronic gambling machines (EGMs), has been associated with significant gambling harm in Australia. There has been limited research that has explored community perceptions of EGMs and attitudes towards reform. This study, condu...
متن کاملFrom problem people to addictive products: a qualitative study on rethinking gambling policy from the perspective of lived experience
BACKGROUND Previous research has shown that government and industry discussions of gambling may focus on personal responsibility for gambling harm. In Australia, these discussions have largely excluded people with lived experience of problem gambling, including those involved in peer support and advocacy. METHODS We conducted 26 in-depth interviews with people with current or previous problem...
متن کاملSound in Electronic Gambling Machines: A Review of the Literature and its Relevance to Game Sound
A much neglected area of research into game sound (and computer games in general) is the use of sound in the games on electronic gambling machines (EGMs). EGMs have many similarities with commercial computer games, particularly arcade games. Drawing on research in film, television, computer games, advertising, and gambling, this chapter introduces EGM sound and provides an introduction into the...
متن کاملPublic attitudes towards gambling product harm and harm reduction strategies: an online study of 16–88 year olds in Victoria, Australia
BACKGROUND Gambling has quickly emerged as an important global public health issue. With new technologies used to develop high intensity gambling products and promotions aimed at driving consumption, public health organisations and researchers, community groups, and politicians have argued for a range of regulatory and education measures aimed at reducing gambling harm. However, there has been ...
متن کامل