The Social Science Journal 44 (2007) 375–381
The impact of Indian gaming on crime in
New Mexico: A research note
G. Larry Mays
a,*
, Carolyn Casillas
b
, James R. Maupin
a
a
Department of Criminal Justice, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM 88003, United States
b
New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families Department, Alamogordo, New Mexico, United States
Abstract
The complexity of the relationship between gambling and crime make empirical establishment of a
relationship between the two difficult. Focusing on one state, we examine the impact of Indian gaming
on crime in New Mexico. Specific crime rates in New Mexico counties with tribal gaming are discussed.
Comparisons of the rates of specific crimes are made between New Mexico counties with tribal gaming
and those without.
© 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
1. Introduction
Whether it is Nevada casinos, tribal gaming, lotteries, or entrepreneurs seeking their fortunes,
economics and politics influence state and federal government gaming policy. Governmentally
sanctioned gambling creates revenues for political entities as well as for those employed by
the industry and, despite potential social consequences, United States policy toward gambling
is guided to a great extent by the anticipated economic benefits. American Indian gaming is
at the forefront of the gambling debate, with issues such as integrity, tribal sovereignty, and
taxation often the focus.
Conventional wisdom has long associated gambling with crime, yet evidence of a measurable
impact of casino gambling on crime is inconclusive. Opponents of legalized gambling often
cite studies supporting the hypothesis that problem and pathological gamblers commit crimes
to finance their habits (National Gambling Impact-Study Commission, 1999). Others argue
An earlier version of this paper was presented at the annual meeting of the Western Social Science Association,
Reno, Nevada, April 18–21, 2001.
*
Corresponding author. Tel.: +1 505 646 3955.
E-mail address: glmays@nmsu.edu (G.L. Mays).
0362-3319/$ – see front matter © 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
doi:10.1016/j.soscij.2007.03.007