Survey respondents share opinions of Riverboat casinos in their communities.

• Author: Burow, Sue

In 1993, a new era began in Indiana. With the passage of the Riverboat Gambling Act, (1) communities in both the northern and southern portions of the state had the opportunity to bring riverboat casinos to their communities. The riverboats came with the promise of jobs and local investment, but they also established legalized gambling within the region. Since then, eleven licenses have been issued in the state, including the recent addition of the French Lick Resort Casino.

[FIGURE 1 OMITTED]

In an effort to maximize the positive impacts of Indiana's riverboat casinos, all are subject to certain rules and regulations, including a series of license renewals required to retain their operating licenses. To remain in compliance, the casinos must demonstrate that they are well managed and able to provide continuing economic benefits for the local community. The Indiana Gaming Commission asked the Center for Urban Policy and the Environment (CUPE) of Indiana University's School of Public and Environmental Affairs to perform economic, fiscal, community, financial, operational, and other analyses to aid in reviewing the riverboat casino licenses. As the casinos reach these renewal periods, CUPE conducts the analyses to determine the riverboat's impact. CUPE is currently working on a series of eleven-year evaluations. (2)

One component in determining the community impact is a random survey of local residents. Surveys have been conducted to ascertain the residents' opinions of Horseshoe Casino in Hammond, Majestic Star I and II in Gary, Argosy Casino in Lawrenceburg, Grand Victoria Casino in Rising Sun, and Casino Aztar in Evansville (see Figure 1). In all instances, the surveys were conducted by the Survey Research Center at IUPUI. Data were collected by conducting random telephone interviews of approximately two-hundred residents of each city with the average interview lasting approximately five minutes. Respondents were informed at the outset that their participation was voluntary and their identity would remain anonymous.

For most Hoosiers, the perceived impact of the riverboat casinos is additional revenue for the state. The arrival of the casinos was viewed as a financial windfall for everyone--with local communities reaping the greatest benefit. In the communities where the casinos have been established for more than eleven years, it is important to ask residents if they believe casinos have provided the improved employment opportunities and...