HARDLY A QUICK FIX - CASINO GAMBLING IN CANADA

Casino gambling is proliferating in Canada despite evidence that its a bility to generate net increases in tau revenues and employment is unc ertain. This paper reviews the principal costs and benefits that are r elevant in evaluations of casino proposals, along with pertinent liter ature. Principal recommendations include more scholarly cost-benefit s tudies. A regulatory strategy and public consultation are also essenti al, although the difficulties associated with both should always be re cognized. All in ail, the casino's usefulness as a policy instrument a ppears to be marginal, particularly in the long run.