gambling in alberta - Research Services - University of Lethbridge
gambling in alberta - Research Services - University of Lethbridge
gambling in alberta - Research Services - University of Lethbridge
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Infrastructure Costs<br />
Bus<strong>in</strong>ess Starts and<br />
Failures<br />
Bus<strong>in</strong>ess Revenue<br />
The amount <strong>of</strong> revenue allocated by various levels <strong>of</strong> government to support the<br />
<strong>in</strong>frastructure needed to service new <strong>gambl<strong>in</strong>g</strong> facilities (i.e., road ma<strong>in</strong>tenance,<br />
utilities, fire services, police services). This does not <strong>in</strong>clude regulatory services<br />
or services specific to problem <strong>gambl<strong>in</strong>g</strong>.<br />
The number <strong>of</strong> new bus<strong>in</strong>esses as well as bus<strong>in</strong>ess failures (commercial<br />
bankruptcy) associated with <strong>gambl<strong>in</strong>g</strong> <strong>in</strong>troduction. Certa<strong>in</strong> bus<strong>in</strong>esses should<br />
receive particular attention because research has shown them to be more likely<br />
impacted by <strong>gambl<strong>in</strong>g</strong> <strong>in</strong>troduction. Specifically, these are other forms <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>gambl<strong>in</strong>g</strong> (i.e., b<strong>in</strong>go, horse rac<strong>in</strong>g, lotteries); the hospitality <strong>in</strong>dustry (i.e.,<br />
hotels, restaurants, lounges); the construction <strong>in</strong>dustry; pawnshops; cheque<br />
cash<strong>in</strong>g stores; horse breed<strong>in</strong>g and tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g operations; tourism; and other<br />
enterta<strong>in</strong>ment <strong>in</strong>dustries.<br />
Changes <strong>in</strong> overall bus<strong>in</strong>ess revenue/sales <strong>in</strong> <strong>in</strong>dustries that are typically affected<br />
by the <strong>in</strong>troduction <strong>of</strong> <strong>gambl<strong>in</strong>g</strong>. This does not <strong>in</strong>clude revenue received by the<br />
new forms <strong>of</strong> <strong>gambl<strong>in</strong>g</strong>.<br />
Personal Income<br />
Changes <strong>in</strong> average personal <strong>in</strong>come or rates <strong>of</strong> poverty associated with<br />
<strong>gambl<strong>in</strong>g</strong> <strong>in</strong>troduction.<br />
Property Values Changes <strong>in</strong> property values <strong>in</strong> areas proximate to new <strong>gambl<strong>in</strong>g</strong> venues.<br />
Problem Gambl<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Crime<br />
Employment<br />
Socioeconomic<br />
Inequality<br />
SOCIAL IMPACTS (i.e., impacts that are primarily non-monetary <strong>in</strong> their nature)<br />
Changes <strong>in</strong> the prevalence <strong>of</strong> problem <strong>gambl<strong>in</strong>g</strong> and the ma<strong>in</strong> <strong>in</strong>dices potentially<br />
associated with problem <strong>gambl<strong>in</strong>g</strong> (i.e., personal bankruptcy rates, divorce rates,<br />
suicide rates, treatment numbers). There are also monetary costs associated<br />
with changes <strong>in</strong> problem <strong>gambl<strong>in</strong>g</strong> that should be tabulated (and <strong>in</strong>cluded <strong>in</strong> the<br />
Economic Impact section). Specifically, these are the amount <strong>of</strong> money spent on<br />
a) treatment and prevention; b) polic<strong>in</strong>g, prosecution, <strong>in</strong>carceration, and<br />
probation for <strong>gambl<strong>in</strong>g</strong>-related crime; c) child welfare <strong>in</strong>volvement for<br />
<strong>gambl<strong>in</strong>g</strong>-related family problems; and d) unemployment and welfare payments<br />
and lost productivity because <strong>of</strong> <strong>gambl<strong>in</strong>g</strong>-related work problems.<br />
Change <strong>in</strong> the rate <strong>of</strong> crime and <strong>gambl<strong>in</strong>g</strong>-related crime. This would <strong>in</strong>clude any<br />
observed decreases <strong>in</strong> illegal <strong>gambl<strong>in</strong>g</strong> with the <strong>in</strong>troduction <strong>of</strong> a legalized form.<br />
The number <strong>of</strong> full and part time jobs that are directly or <strong>in</strong>directly created as a<br />
result <strong>of</strong> <strong>gambl<strong>in</strong>g</strong> <strong>in</strong>troduction and the percentage <strong>of</strong> the general workforce<br />
that this represents.<br />
Evidence that the <strong>in</strong>troduction <strong>of</strong> <strong>gambl<strong>in</strong>g</strong> has a differential f<strong>in</strong>ancial impact on<br />
people <strong>of</strong> different socioeconomic levels (e.g., potentially mak<strong>in</strong>g it more or less<br />
‘regressive’).<br />
Leisure Activity Changes <strong>in</strong> leisure behaviour associated with <strong>gambl<strong>in</strong>g</strong> <strong>in</strong>troduction.<br />
Public Attitudes<br />
Quality <strong>of</strong><br />
Life/Public<br />
Health/Social<br />
Capital/Values<br />
Change <strong>in</strong> public attitudes associated with <strong>gambl<strong>in</strong>g</strong> <strong>in</strong>troduction. This could<br />
<strong>in</strong>clude changed attitudes about <strong>gambl<strong>in</strong>g</strong> (e.g., perceived benefits/harms), or<br />
changed attitudes about government or the role <strong>of</strong> government for<br />
allow<strong>in</strong>g/provid<strong>in</strong>g <strong>gambl<strong>in</strong>g</strong>, etc.<br />
Change <strong>in</strong> the general quality <strong>of</strong> life, state <strong>of</strong> public health, societal<br />
<strong>in</strong>terconnectedness, societal values, and related <strong>in</strong>dices. These <strong>in</strong>dices are <strong>of</strong>ten<br />
difficult to measure and also difficult to attribute to the <strong>in</strong>troduction <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>gambl<strong>in</strong>g</strong>. Nonetheless, they are relevant impacts if they exist, and if they can be<br />
captured.<br />
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