Study connects tribal gaming to improvements in Indian health

Tuesday, May 22, 2012  

A new study says Indian gaming has improved the health and well-being of tribal members.

The study was based on data from 1988 to 2003. In addition to seeing an income boost, tribal members saw improvements in health, mental health, and health-related behaviors, researchers said.

According to The Wall Street Journal, the study reported:

Overall, the results clearly suggest that the exogenous increase in income from casino gaming is tied to an improvement in health, mental health, and health-related behaviors. The largest percentage improvements are for smoking (an average decrease of 9.6%) and anxiety (an average decrease in days anxious of 7.3%). The income produced by casino gaming reduces the probability of heavy drinking by about 5.2%, and those of being obese or overweight, being hypertensive, or having diabetes by between 2% and 4%.

Get the Story:
Casinos and American-Indian Health (The Wall Street Journal 5/21)