Related Experiment Videos
Legal gambling and crime
1Psychology Program, Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, Pomona 08240-0195, USA.
Psychological Reports
|October 17, 1998
Summary
Gambling activities in 1990 were linked to higher rates of robbery and motor vehicle theft across the continental US. However, these associations disappeared when other social factors were considered.
Area of Science:
- Criminology
- Sociology
- Economics
Background:
- The relationship between gambling prevalence and crime rates is a complex issue.
- Previous research has explored correlations between various social activities and criminal behavior.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between the number of gambling activities and rates of robbery and motor vehicle theft.
- To determine if this association persists after controlling for other relevant social variables.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of data from the 48 contiguous continental states in 1990.
- Statistical examination of the correlation between gambling activities and specific crime rates.
- Application of control variables representing other social factors.
Main Results:
- A positive association was observed between the total number of gambling activities and rates of robbery.
- Similarly, an association was found between gambling activities and motor vehicle theft rates.
- These observed associations were eliminated when controlling for other social variables.
Conclusions:
- The initial correlation between gambling and crime appears to be spurious.
- Socioeconomic factors likely mediate the relationship between gambling and crime.
- Further research is needed to understand the complex interplay of social determinants in crime rates.