Gambling with Philadelphia: Examining the Impacts of Commercial Casinos in a large American city.

Abstract

Casino gaming has emerged in the United States in a variety of new locations as a source of economic development.  In 2010 commercial casino gambling expanded into a major United States city, when a casino opened in Philadelphia.  The city currently has one open casino and a second proposed casino, this, along with three other casinos in the metropolitan area, makes Philadelphia an important case study to examine the impacts of casino gaming in a major urban area in the United States.  Through interviews and media/policy analysis, the casinos interaction with the local community during the planning process, and since the one casino has opened are analyzed.  It is revealed that a variety of stakeholders were involved in the casino location process, and the community has been impacted by the casino in a variety of areas including economic effects, a community benefits agreement, crime, potential gambling addiction and gentrification.