NCJ Number
154890
Journal
American Journal of Criminal Justice Volume: 18 Issue: 1 Dated: (1993) Pages: 117-131
Date Published
1993
Length
15 pages
Annotation
To test the proposition that the introduction of legalized gambling in an area correlates with increased crime in that area, this study examined the crime frequency before and after the introduction of casino gambling in Biloxi, Mississippi.
Abstract
In 1990 the Mississippi State Legislature voted to allow counties along the Gulf coast and counties that contain some interior waterways to determine if casino gambling would be permitted within their respective jurisdictions. On March 10, 1992, voters in Harrison County approved dockside gambling by a 57.4 percent plurality. In August 1992 three permanently moored riverboat casinos opened for business in the city of Biloxi. For this study crime data were obtained from the monthly crime reports of the Biloxi Police Department for the 12 months prior to the introduction of casino gambling (August 1991 through July 1992) and the 12 months after casino gambling was introduced (August 1992 through July 1993). Data were analyzed for the index offenses of the Uniform Crime Reports and 20 other categories listed on the monthly offense reports of the police. The impact of legalized gambling was greatest for economic crimes; larceny- theft increased from 226.8 to 263.2, and motor vehicle theft increased from 20.3 to 27.7. Other economic crimes, such as burglary and credit card fraud increased substantially but did not reach statistical significance. One implication of these findings is that police will need to adjust to the changes casinos bring to a community. More intensive 24-hour law enforcement coverage will be required. More traffic control, property crime, and vice operations will be needed. The police may be well advised to institute a casino-hotel investigative unit as was done by the Atlantic City Police Department. 2 tables and 30 references