Date of Award

12-2007

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Department

Public Affairs and Administration

First Advisor

Dr. Robert Peters

Second Advisor

Dr. Matthew Mingus

Third Advisor

Dr. Jeffrey Greene

Abstract

When considering future casino development, it is important to know whether the magnitude of a casino's economic impact.

A way to understand the impact of adding a casino to a rural Michigan community is to study the economic changes during the 6 years surrounding casino's opening. If significant changes occur in population, employment, and commercial, industrial, and residential property values, it may be possible to attribute this change to the introduction of a casino.

Township level data is used for an index of annual percentage change, preceding and following an opening. This study tests for movement in the community's economics for 17 casinos.

The research found a consistent change is not observed. If community public administrators and leaders are offered a casino, they will need to evaluate the proposal carefully. The often-forecasted economic benefit for communities seems to occur about half the time.

Access Setting

Dissertation-Open Access

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