negative effects of casinos on communities

Compared with tribes without casinos, tribes with casinos had higher total health-related community resource scores (β = 5.09 90% confidence interval, 1.17–9.01). Half (49%) of the tribes surveyed owned a casino. We used adjusted linear regression models to test the association between casino ownership and health-related community resources. Casino ownership was our independent variable. We created a total health-related community resources score (maximum of 50 points) by grouping resources into 5 subdomains (community infrastructure, health care and education, social determinants, recreational infrastructure, and recreation programs), which we scored for a maximum of 10 points each and then summed. To investigate the association between casino ownership and health-related community resources among Native Americans, we surveyed 81 of California’s 110 federally recognized tribes about casino ownership and health-related community resources during 20. However, no studies have quantitatively assessed whether casinos are associated with having more community resources. An increase in health-related community resources related to tribal ownership of casinos may be one mechanism through which the health of Native Americans is improved. AbstractĬasinos are significantly associated with improved health among some Native Americans living on tribal lands. What are the implications for public health practice?įindings suggest that Native American tribes are successfully investing casino revenue into community resources, which could have implications for improving tribal public health.

We found that casino ownership was associated with having more health-related community resources, particularly those related to community and physical activity–related infrastructure and social determinants of health. This study tests a key hypothesized mechanism through which tribally owned casinos may improve Native Americans’ health. Casinos have increased economic resources among some Native Americans living on tribal lands, and casinos are associated with improved health.

Negative effects of casinos on communities