Preview

Legalized Gambling Would Decrease the Crime Rate

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
1804 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Legalized Gambling Would Decrease the Crime Rate
Many factors have influenced the rising crime rate, some being, increasing use of drugs, increasing population, and decreasing morals. America must find ways to decrease the crime rate legally. One question often going hand in hand with decreasing crime rate is would legalized gambling decrease the crime rate?

During the late 1980's and early 1990's slow economic growth, cuts in federal funding, and growing public needs forced state and local governments to seek additional sources of revenue. Most states turned to lotteries, horse and dog racing, and most recently a growing number of states have resorted to casino gambling as a painless way to raise money. Case studies show that legal casino gaming can increase tourism, employment, sales of noncasino goods, and tax revenues (Cabot 1). For example, The New Jersey Casino Control Act of 1977 states legalized casino gambling has been approved by the citizens of New Jersey as a unique tool of urban redevelopment for Atlantic City (Thompson 144). Legalized gambling provides a major new source of revenue for the state (Kurk 1).

Even though 48 states have some form of legalized gambling such as lotteries, horse racing, casinos, riverboat and Indian casinos, casino gambling still remains illegal in most states (NCALG 2). Casino gambling, which was once limited to two states, is now legal in twenty-one states. Some states are Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, and South Dakota. Over time we have seen a change in the gambling market. At one time, only Bingo parlors could be found on Native American reservations. Today almost one hundred casinos are operating in twenty-one states (Begun, Siegal, and Jacobs 29).

There are five types of legal gambling in the United States: bingo, lotteries, pari-mutual betting, off track betting and casinos. Bingo is the most common form of legalized gambling; forty-six states participate in legal Bingo. Forty-three states permit thoroughbred horse racing, Lotteries are allowed in

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    In Connecticut for example a federal court ruled that because the state allowed nonprofit organizations to have casino rights as fundraisers, it had to allow the Mashantucket Pequot’s to add table games to its bingo operation. In 1991 the tribe expanded its bingo hall into a casino. It now runs Foxwoods, The world’s largest casino. In 1992 the Pequot’s offered the state $100 million a year or 25 percent of its slot machine takes. Which ever was greater, provided the state would allow it, but not any other group could install slot machines, the agreement was modified to allow the Mohegan tribe to operate slot machines after it received federal recognition. Payments from the tribe were estimated to be in excess of $350 million in 2002, and “effectively prevented the state from granting a license for a proposed non-Indian casino in the Bridgeport area”.…

    • 548 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    RSA Exam

    • 10133 Words
    • 82 Pages

    Neglected family  Social problems due to financial loss  Loss of income  Relationship breakdown  Negative impact on families  Adverse effects upon gambling venue staff  Increased demand of social and legal services Economic cost of problem gambling  Cost of crime  Increased welfare demand  Cost of regulation  Financial strain on families Government agencies that regulate the gambling industry  QLD Police  OLGR (Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation) Gambling in Queensland In Queensland, a gambling product is illegal unless it is regulated by one of the following seven Gambling Acts –  Gambling Machine Act 1991 - regulate the use of 'Pokies' electronic gaming machines (EGM's), specifically those in clubs, pubs and hotels.  Keno Act 1996 – Keno game played in casinos, hotels and pubs  Casino Control Act 1982 - regulates Casinos who are licensed to operate traditional casino table games and electronic gaming machines Continued... Gambling in Queensland  Lotteries Act 1997 – governs suppliers of Lottery games  Racing Act 2002 Wagering Act 2002 - (regulates the racing industry e.g. horses, greyhounds)…

    • 10133 Words
    • 82 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Since 1988, with the passing of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, Native American casinos have been growing in popularity and opening all over the United States. There are currently 473 federally recognized Native American casinos located in 28 of the 50 states (National Indian Gaming Commission, 2011), and these casinos have reported impressive growth in the last 15 years. According to Schaap (2010), between 1997 and 2001, revenues increased 73% from $7.4 billion to $12.8 billion, and from 2001 to 2005, revenues went up 77% to $22.6 billion (pp.368-369). Despite the downturn of the entire U.S. economy, Native American casinos still reported significant growth between 2005 and 2011, generating a 20% increase in revenues to $27.2 billion (National Indian Gaming Commission, 2011, Figure 15&16). In comparison, the American Gaming Association reported that commercial casinos generated $35.64 billion in revenues in 2011 (American Gaming Association, 2012a), and as figures 15 & 16 below illustrate, the difference in revenue between Native American and commercial casinos has been shrinking for the last decade. As Native American casinos become increasingly popular and frequented by more patrons, the profitability of commercial casinos stands to be seriously…

    • 287 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Some people may argue that alcohol and cigarettes cause many problems such as addictions and cancer. Gambling also causes problems that families may find just as harmful. However, South Dakota neither owns nor controls alcohol or cigarette industries, unlike their video lottery industry. An adequate way to raise money would not ruin the state’s constitutions. If South Dakota found another way to raise funds other than by instigating an addicting activity such as gambling, the families of South Dakota would be better…

    • 83 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    The Land of Labor and Luck

    • 3014 Words
    • 13 Pages

    Gambling is the world’s second oldest industry, but in the past has been viewed in a condemning nature. Many have viewed it as immoral and destructive. The government, taking the middle ground labels it as a vice, but will allow small-scale monopolies to non-profit organizations. These constituents have conditions that state that revenues must be used for good causes and they must not over stimulate demand. (15) Commercial casinos that were first permitted, while heavily regulated to protect citizens, only allowed the wealthy to be patrons.…

    • 3014 Words
    • 13 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Best Essays

    Gambling is an essential human activity that can serve a valuable function for both the individual and the society as a whole (Forrest et al., 2002). In the…

    • 3932 Words
    • 16 Pages
    Best Essays
  • Good Essays

    Just a decade ago gambling was limited to two cities in the United States, Las Vegas and Atlantic City. Today there are only two states that don't have some form of legalized gambling, such as lotteries or bingo. Since commercial casino gambling was legalized in Nevada in 1931, the public attitude toward gambling has shifted from prohibition to permissiveness. Pamela M. Prah discovered in 2004, that there are "11 states that have commercial casinos, six have riverboats or docked casinos, and 23 states have within their borders casinos that are owned and operated by American Indian tribes." There is no doubt that legalized gambling has "exploded in the region and around the country, from the internet and multistate…

    • 921 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Gaming and tax laws also differ in Nevada vs. other states. Nevada has no personal income tax or corporate income tax which draws in a lot of corporations as Nevada is under no obligation to share income data with the IRS seeing as they don't collect income data. In 1931, Nevada legalized most forms of gaming and is not limited or regulated to certain areas or closing times. Whereas Nevada has legalized gambling, it is illegal in Utah, which is a neighboring state, and no forms of gambling are allowed. One other law that was passed in June of this year advocates the right to sell medical marijuana from authorized locations. This set Nevada apart from a few states, such as Alabama and Iowa, in that Nevada's bill passed while many other states have bills that have died in the congressional sense and will remain illegal to grow or sale.…

    • 256 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Gambling has benefits and drawbacks to bring for society, however, it should be legalized for several reasons. Many people hold the notion that gambling can have negative impacts on the family since it might ruin people’s life, it is also believed that gambling would probably make everyone unhappy if it were prohibited. Not only that, but also it would increasing the revenue of government due to the high percentage of Canadians who took part in gambling. Additionally, some people believe that alcoholism and depression stem from gambling as negative outcomes; in fact, very few gamblers have these problems. On the contrary, there are a number of factors; such as the increasing of spending in the community. For example, boosting work opportunities…

    • 193 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Gambling was declared illegal in 1892 when leaders worried the “get rich quick” method would destroy the Protestant work ethic. It remained a criminal offence for three-quarters of a century until, under pressure from Quebec to pay off its debts and raising money for the Montreal Summer Olympics, prime minister Pierre Trudeau legalized lotteries in 1969, as well as legalizing abortion, homosexuality and expanding gun control. Ontario’s government is hardly alone in its unabashed enthusiasm for gambling. From lotteries, to casinos, to electronic gaming machines at bars and restaurants, gambling now generates an astonishing $14 billion a year in revenues for provincial governments, up from just $2.7 billion 20 years ago. Provincial governments…

    • 614 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Heart

    • 8291 Words
    • 34 Pages

    The expansion of legalized gambling poses a number of issues for policymakers. Two related issues, which have not been dealt with extensively from a public policy perspective, are examined in this commentary: state responsibility for addressing pathological and problem gambling, and the legal status and regulation of Internet gambling. A review of the recommendations of the 1998 National Gambling Impact Study Commission on pathological and problem gambling as well as state policies and practices indicates that little has been accomplished in dealing with the need for education, prevention, and treatment. Confusing and contradictory legislation and policies abound. Internet gambling flourishes, and federal and state governments are ambivalent about legalizing it. Both problem gambling and regulation of Internet gambling urgently need attention. The legalization and regulation of commercial gambling involves a wide range of public policy issues. These include such matters as how jurisdictions decide to legalize gambling in the first place, and what forms of gambling to legalize (e.g., lotteries, casinos, pari-mutuel racing, bingo). Another policy issue faced by jurisdictions that already have some form of legal gambling is the decision of whether or not to expand existing forms or add new ones. Once gambling has been legalized, jurisdictions face the issue of how to regulate it. For gambling businesses to succeed, gamblers need to be confident that the games are honest and that they will be paid if they win. One role of regulatory agencies is to ensure that gambling activities occur in such a manner that these conditions are met. Decisions about all these matters are made in a highly politicized environment and are shaped by a variety of competitive forces. The initial decision to legalize any form of gambling is typically supported by those likely to benefit financially or politically in some way and opposed by…

    • 8291 Words
    • 34 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    All gambling was once legal. Looking back only 75-100 years ago most of our states had lotteries in place. Over the past century, as a result of abuse and moral fervor the majority forms of gambling have been prohibited. The history of gambling in the United States evolved from Europe. The Puritans and Quakers took little time to create first laws against gambling in 1638. Casino gambling is becoming increasingly popular especially in southern states. Native Americans are allowed to establish bingo parlors and casinos on their reservations, although Las Vegas and Atlantic City remain gambling tourist top destination choice.…

    • 584 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Chapter 20

    • 334 Words
    • 2 Pages

    There are some reasons for legalizing marijuana by state laws. Some states argue that marijuana may be very helpful in some circumstances. Some researchers use the gambling to make a useful reason to discuss about legalizing marijuana. The researchers show that” legalized gambling has not reduced illegal gambling in the United States: rather, it has increased it. This is particularly evident in sports gambling, most of which is illegal. Legal gambling is taxed and regulated and illegal gambling is not. Legal gambling sets the stage for illegal gambling just the way legal marijuana would set the stage for illegal marijuana trafficking” (CNBC,2012). The author from Christian Science Monitor also points out that the government says” legalixing marijuana will end the drug war in Mexico” (Monitor’s Editorial Board,2009). This is not true or methamphetamine which can help the black market earns millions of dollars. The only way to eliminate its illegal trade or ending the drug war is selling untaxed and unregulated marijuana to any willing buyer. The United States will not do any businesses that do not bring them the benefit. Therefore, there is no way to destroy the illegal trade or drug war.…

    • 334 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Why Gambling Is Bad

    • 563 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Gambling is getting more and more common in todays society. There are several shows on TV…

    • 563 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Better Essays

    1. Argument with evidence #1: We all need money, and betting is not an option because apparently we lose more than we win. Adults think that because the numbers of gamblers keep increasing. In 1999 the National Gambling Impact Study Commission estimated the annual cost to society of problem gambling was $5 billion.…

    • 1318 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays