Casino Gambling As An Income-Based Leisure Activity: Evidence From The Gambling Impact And Behavior Study

Abstract

Over the past two decades, 28 states have joined Nevada and New Jersey in legalizing casino gambling. This paper examines patterns in casino gambling using a nationally representative survey conducted as part of the National Gambling Impact Study Commission’s research, focusing on socioeconomic determinants of gambling incidence and expenditures. Analysis shows that gambling is positively linked to income, a finding consistent with the view of gambling as a relatively innocuous leisure activity.