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| Social Impact of Gambling in South Dakota and
Colorado |
Jeffrey Bloomberg, State's Attorney in Deadwood, South Dakota,
indicated that within two years of legalization of casinos the following social outcomes
were observed:
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Child abuse cases had increased nearly 43% (from 350 to 500 cases;
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Police costs had increased 80% to 100% with a virtual doubling of
police officers;
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Felonies increased 50%, with an increase in Class One misdemeanors of
75% in four years, from 614 in 1988, to 1070 in 1993;
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Domestic violence and assaults had risen 80%; and 3% to 5% of the
population appeared to be on the way to becoming problem gamblers and compulsive gamblers
within two years.
In Colorado, Cripple Creek, Central City, and Blackhawk are
beginning to experience some of the same social outcomes after they legalized video
gambling. As John Starkey, a longtime resident, said after the influx of casinos, "We
wanted a helping hand, but we didn't want devastation."
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