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Macroeconomics refers to the analysis of economic factors for a large group of people or an economy. Some studies report predictions for the impact that casinos have on employment, wages, and tax revenue. This evidence is mixed, but it generally shows that casinos have some positive influence on local and regional economies. Research from the United States indicates that policy makers will approve new casinos in times of financial stress as a way to create revenue. Research on the economic impact of other gambling activities is sparse.
Microeconomics refers to the analysis of economic factors for individuals. Gambling researchers who study these factors usually focus on social costs, specifically crime and bankruptcy. The evidence suggests that people who have gambling problems are more likely to commit a crime so that they can continue to have money to gamble. Research also shows that casinos can contribute to higher bankruptcy rates. Other studies have tried to attribute a dollar value to the social costs of gambling; however, there is no agreement about the definition of social costs, so these cost estimates could be much lower than what the actual cost may be. It is important to consider the social costs since the focus has so often been on the potential of gambling revenue for economic benefits.
Download the two-page Gambling Enviroment Factor summary (PDF)
Download the Gambling Enviroment Factor section from the Conceptual Framework of Harmful Gambling (PDF)
Download the complete Conceptual Framework of Harmful Gambling (PDF)