Abstract
The introduction of commercial casinos to Australia in 1973 was arguably the most radical shift of gambling policy in Australia's history. At one level, the risk seems to have been justified, with very little organised public opposition to the promotion of casinos as a catalyst for tourism growth and regional economic development. However, recent events suggest that Australian casino policies have moved to a more politicised stage, a period in which governments could be forced to contend with new conflicts, tensions and contradictions. Now that some of the benefits and costs of casinos have become apparent, it is appropriate to evaluate existing casino policies and trends, and to reconsider other alternatives which might be available. This paper examines the broad social implications of the Australian casino “boom,” the economic changes which have occurred, and the social and political costs which have begun to surface.
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This article is an updated and modified version of a paper presented to200-UP; The Third Conference of the National Association for Gambling Studies, July ll–13th 1988, Australian National University.
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McMillen, J. Casino policies: Have Australians had a fair deal?. J Gambling Stud 6, 3–29 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01015746
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01015746