NCJ Number
214019
Journal
American Journal of Criminal Justice Volume: 30 Issue: 2 Dated: Spring 2006 Pages: 193-207
Date Published
2006
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This study examined the impact of Indian casinos or gaming on crime in the State of New Mexico.
Abstract
Findings from the 1999 National Gambling Impact Study Commission conclude that communities with casinos are just as safe as communities that do not have casinos. The data available to address the impact of gaming on crime in New Mexico was found to be inadequate. Even though there is a perceived increase in crime by the public, the changes that can be identified cannot be directly attributed to Indian gaming enterprises. Establishing a connection between gambling and crime is a very difficult task. In this study, an exploratory analysis was conducted to examine some of the social consequences of gaming on New Mexico’s quality of life, specifically the issue of crime. Crime statistical data was collected from the New Mexico Department of Public Safety Web site for those New Mexico counties with ongoing Indian gaming enterprises. Crime resulting from gambling was placed into three categories: (1) gambling-defined crimes, (2) gambling-related crimes, and (3) crimes associated with gambling. Tables and references