Gambling: Casinos

According to the Gross Annual Wager of the United States ? all forms of gambling combined ? over $68.7 billion in revenue was generated in 2002. Commercial casinos account for approximately 41 percent of all revenues, while state lotteries account for 27 percent and Indian casinos contribute another 21 percent of the total annual gambling revenue. Together, commercial and Indian casinos account for nearly 62 percent of all gambling revenues ($42.3 billion). Internet gambling, card rooms, sports betting, pari-mutuel wagering charitable games and bingo make up the remainder.

Americans are addicted to gambling and so are many of the states. According to the National Gambling Impact Study Commission report, citizens of the United states spend more money gambling than they spend on recorded music, theme parks video game, spectator sports and movie tickets combined! Every state, with the exception of Utah and Hawaii, offer some form of gambling. It's quite accurate to describe gambling growth in our nation as explosive.

But has the growth of casinos had a positive impact on our nation, economy, businesses, families, marriages, children and individuals?