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Do Casinos Enhance Crime?

NCJ Number
120830
Journal
Journal of Criminal Justice Volume: 17 Issue: 5 Dated: (1989) Pages: 409-416
Author(s)
S Hakim; A J Buck
Date Published
1989
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This article analyzes the possible impact of the 1978 introduction of casino gambling in Atlantic City on crime in that region.
Abstract
Pooled time-series cross-sectional data from sixty-four localities for the years 1972 to 1984 were used to investigate four types of property crimes and total violent crimes. The results suggest spatial crime spill-over from Atlantic City, where violent crime diminished most rapidly, followed by robberies and auto thefts. Larcenies declined least rapidly. The greatest postcasino crime increase was observed for violent crimes and auto thefts and the least for burglaries. A one percent increase in the distance from Atlantic City was associated with greater reduction in all crimes than was a one percent increase in police outlays. 3 tables, 9 notes, 25 references. (Author abstract)

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