Abstract
This study examines the underlying economic and political dynamics that have led to the rapid proliferation of permitted gambling in the United States and other countries over the past decade. It notes that much of the justification for gambling has come from an attempt to exploit the economic rents and spillover benefits that accompany the legalization of gambling, and little is accorded the value that accrues to consumers of the commodity. A framework is developed to evaluate the impact of such considerations on the community and the region where gambling is permitted. Different types of casino-style gambling—destination resort casinos, urban casinos, and widely dispersed gaming devices—are evaluated in light of their relative impacts.
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