Perceived Impacts of Gambling: Integration of Two Theories

This study explores the race and educational attainment variations on resident perceptions and support for a proposed casino development. In addition, it investigates the influence of perceived benefits and costs on casino gambling support. The findings indicate that residents who are likely to receive personal benefits from gambling development tend to believe that its socioeconomic benefits outweigh the associated costs. Respondents\u27 race is found to exercise a significant influence on their perceptions of benefits and costs, and casino development support. This study integrates two separate research streams of social exchange theory and social representation theory, and in doing so makes a major theoretical contribution in tourism and gaming literature