The impact of gambling on rural communities worldwide: A narrative literature review.

Abstract

Gambling has become a popular activity in both urban and rural settings. Although the prevalence and participation of gambling is well known, little has been reported regarding the impacts of gambling on rural communities. Therefore, a narrative literature review approach was adopted to examine what is known regarding gambling in rural communities. This article describes the prevalence and types of gambling that are popular in rural communities around the world. It identifies the benefits and highlights the potential harm caused by a person's gambling and the impact this has on families and the wider rural community. There are both benefits and risks associated with increased availability of gambling opportunities. Specific vulnerable groups within rural populations are identified within this context and how different countries respond to rural gambling is explored. A number of strategies based on a public health approach are recommended to ensure that gambling remains as harmless an activity as possible in rural communities.

The impact of casino proximity on northeast urban communities: a literature review

“…Nevertheless, gambling was not always an appealing activity and predominately associated with individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds (Braverman and Shaffer, 2012;Tolchard, 2015). To this end, several states banned gambling in the early 1990s, including Nevada's anti-gambling legislation in 1910 (Petry and Blanco, 2013).…”

“…Gambling legalization continued to increase casino regulation such that casino proliferation expanded across the country (Institute for American Values [IAV, 2013]; Martin et al, 2011;Stansbury et al, 2015;Tolchard, 2015;Tong and Chim, 2013;Welte et al, 2016a;Welte et al, 2016b), including authorization for more casinos in the northeast (Conway, 2015). Connecticut opened Mohegan Sun Casino in 1996, a second tribal operation in Uncasville, while New York and Pennsylvania opened commercial casinos in 2004, and Maryland followed in 2010 (Nower, Volberg, and Caler, 2017;Tidwell et al, 2015).…”

“…Legalization continued to pave the way for more casinos, including the new wave of urban casinos, which sometimes joined existing racetracks. Casino-gambling participation increased with urban casinos becoming more accessible, available, and acceptable (Conway, 2015;Tolchard, 2015).…”

“…Research studies that explored casino accessibility and availability in the context of casino proximity found an association between the constructs (accessibility and availability) and problem gambling or other gambling-related problems (Ariyabuddhiphongs, 2012;Conway, 2015;Martin et al, 2011;Tolchard, 2015;Tse et al, 2012;Welte et al, 2016a;Welte et al, 2016b). Several researchers (Philander, 2019;Welte et al, 2017;Welte et al, 2016a;Welte et al, 2016b;Welte et al, 2004;Xouridas et al, 2016), who have studied casino proximity have also reported that this construct could increase the likelihood of gambling participation based on the measure of proximity.…”

“…Several researchers (Philander, 2019;Welte et al, 2017;Welte et al, 2016a;Welte et al, 2016b;Welte et al, 2004;Xouridas et al, 2016), who have studied casino proximity have also reported that this construct could increase the likelihood of gambling participation based on the measure of proximity. While many of those studies occurred before the influx of casinos in major northeast cities, accessibility and availability, or the convenience of urban casinos could create potential gambling problems, such as economic distress, mental disorders, and health problems (Ariyabuddhiphongs, 2012;Conway, 2015;Martin et al, 2011;Stansbury et al, 2015;Tolchard, 2015;Tong and Chim, 2013) for casino patrons and the broader community. However, the construct casino proximity has not been thoroughly evaluated in an urban casino study.…”