The Effects of Gambling on Society

The growing industry of gambling creates revenue from taxes, but is it really profitable? Smith-Christopher claims “the total amount accounts for less than a quarter of the gambling industry revenues nationwide each year.” It can be said that gambling can help economic progress, “Nearly half of all tribal gaming enterprises earn less than $10 million in annual revenue, and one-quarter earn less than $3 million each year. On the other end of the spectrum, about 40 tribal casinos (or about 1 in 10) take in two-thirds of all Indian gaming revenues” (Smith-Christopher). The economic benefits that gambling creates may outweigh the addictions it may create. Walker claims, “As gambling expands, the gambling industry and government are beginning to

With the Corporate Gaming Act of 1969, Las Vegas began a slow transition towards “respectability.” Gambling in Las Vegas was gaining in popularity in the 1950’s and 1960’s, but the mob presence itself was preventing Las Vegas from attracting the necessary outside funds to turn it into a dominant Metropolis (204). “Nevada seemed to be shedding this image in favor of the many new family-oriented “theme resorts” that were being built, especially in Las Vegas (204). Then there’s The Rat

Social Although gambling industry can bring more employment opportunities and offer diversified leisure activities for the public, it could also lead harms. ‘Problem Gambling’ is the main disadvantage that gambling produced, it may result in an increasing number of personal bankruptcy, suicide, crime and child welfare may be ignored and so on (Williams, Rehm & Stevens, 2011). Hence, the Australian Gaming Council formulated the Responsible Gaming regulation to conduct the gambling industry in Australia and reduce the existing and potential harms.

First, when allowing casinos into parts of the state, it brings with it multiple opportunities for employment, i.e., construction jobs, manager positions, server positions, gaming technicians, etc. When casinos enter a state, research has proven that the unemployment rate dropped significantly. According to the University of Chicago, National Opinion Research Center (NORC), “communities closest to casinos experienced a 12 percent to 17

There are many reasons to link financial problems and crime to the large revenues of gambling. Financial losses are one of the extreme threats and costs to the gambler. This is because

60?s, and 70?s, but that was then and this is now. ?While there may be some

Conversely, if an individual has squandered their vacation or gambling budget in the casino, are they now viewed as potential criminal offenders? Again, it is nearly impossible to conclude whether or not these types of robberies are due to the casino that is attracting the tourism, or the fact that the community itself has now become a tourist attraction?

A lot of governments have invested in building world-class gambling facilities to encourage these tourists to play. The Cherokee casino named Harrah’s is one of many casinos around the world that impact the economy, providing gambling which boosts the flow of tourists. This Casino helps out the Cherokee Nation by funneling funds right back into the Cherokee Nation. This funds help improve such things as building better housing, attractive landscaping, upgraded water and sewer systems, and improved schools. Gambling dollars have funded a diabetes clinic, an urgent care clinic, a wellness center, a youth center, a recreational park, a visitor center, a community center, a nursery, a fire substation, and land purchases, all within the reservation. The casino doesn’t just earn funds for Cherokee Nation it provides a very big help to employment rates, gambling provides these tourists quality entertainment for them to enjoy. “The yearly unemployment rate, a misleading figure because it failed to take into account the seasonal nature of the tourist industry, was still a staggering 18 percent. In the winter, when many shops, restaurants, and hotels close, unemployment on the

First, the state has to find construction workers to work on building the commercial casino. In a casino there are many different workers. There are dealers, a broker, bartenders, chefs, cooks, clerks, bingo caller, floor worker, waiters, host, managers, change attendants, cashiers, runners, technicians, security officers, and surveillance officers. In Las Vegas, Nevada there were 170,206 people employed at a; casino in the year 2012. Nevada is ranked 35th in state population and has a population of 2,790,136 in the state. Texas is ranked 2nd and 26.96 million. One of Nevada’s major industry is gambling. If the state of Texas were to legalize gambling the state unemployment rate would go down. Not only would people get employed by the casinos. Other businesses would flourish also creating new jobs. Hotels and motels would be built. Restaurant and brothels would be built. The newly built hotels, restaurants, and bars would need employees. More people would be employed causing the unemployment rate to go down once more. Las Vegas is a testament of the powerful ability of gambling to foster economic development. Las Vegas has shown impressive job growth, developed into a major city with a low tax burden that many state and local governments look at with envy, and has spawned significant private and public sector investment (Library of California). A Wisconsin study shows major economic impact when the state practiced Indian gaming (a

Middleton and Latif write about the government’s plans to establish casinos in the United Kingdom and that more thought should be put in to the potential health effects it may cause. Both define problem gambling and the effects on one’s physical, mental and social well-being.

Casinos bring a local economy a new tax source and new jobs but it is crucial to look further to see if casinos boost the local economy. In one article the writers state the benefits of the new casino including new jobs and investment. Felsentein, Littlepage, & Klacik (2000) then explain that many casino jobs however require some specific training. This means many employees commute to work. Also some of local casino employees leave previous jobs in community to come work in the casino. The casino is not creating for the local economy if workers are commuting or leaving old jobs (Felsentein, Littlepage, & Klacik, 2000)

     Gambling addiction is an issue found in numerous areas where gambling is legal. People who are addicted to gambling, also know as problem gamblers, face many health risks including depression, suicidal thoughts, loss of sleep, loss of appetite, migraine and anxiety in addition to marriage breakdown, problems at work and bankruptcy (9). About 2 percent of adults are thought to be problem gamblers (1). In today’s society this costly addiction is not often considered to be a common problem among those who gamble. Only a small amount of states in the U.S. give enough attention toward this rising problem of people that are sometimes even willing to commit crimes just to aid their addiction. In the past our

Also the fact of all the surrounding areas economies and businesses have been hurt because of the casino’s because now tourists only travel to the specific region skipping other possible tourist attractions.

In the early 1930s, gambling was legalized throughout the state of Nevada and casinos began to flourish (Dunstan, 1997). The economic growth in Nevada, especially the city of Las Vegas, has improved tremendously by the creation of casinos. Many people were employed since the operation of casinos requires a huge amount of labor, skill, and expertise. In addition, local retail sales also increased from casinos when gamblers visit the stores to spend their winnings on various items and products (Garrett, 2003). As a result, many state governments began to legalize casinos in order to boost their economies and increase employment. As of today, there are roughly 1500 casinos in the United States and they generate almost 65 billion dollars in revenue (“Facts on U.S Casinos” 2013). However, casinos use immoral methods to achieve this incredible feat of big profit with few government interventions. While the city of Las Vegas becomes more prosperous than before, many citizens lose their fortunes or even lives by the immoral business practices implemented by the casinos. Even though the

Utilitarianism suggests that the act that results in the greatest amount of happiness for the greatest number of individuals is the option that we should choose. Whether gambling should be deemed as an ethical or unethical act depends entirely on the consequences and benefits gambling has on casinos, gamblers, and non-gamblers. If gambling results in the overall increase of a casino’s profit and the overall increase of a gambler’s profit and mental health, then the act of gambling would be considered ethical. However, if the act has more negative implications than positive, then the act of gambling would be unethical. For example, it would be unethical if the transaction between casinos and gamblers was rigged solely for the casino 's financial benefit while exploiting those who gamble there. The significant concern of this paper is not to point a finger at casinos and other gambling mediums as a means to blame them for the mental conditions of those who we’d consider as gambling addicts. Instead, the point of this paper is to acknowledge the effects of gambling and propose the importance of responsibility. I will present an unbiased view of gambling, paying close attention to the psychological effects and motives individuals have regarding gambling at casinos. Also, I will look at the positive results associated with having a successful casino business, so that allowing gambling is ethical from a utilitarian point of