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More than Chance: The Local Labor Market Effects of Tribal Gaming

Author

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  • Laurel Wheeler

Abstract

Casino-style gaming is an important economic development strategy for many American Indian tribes throughout the United States. Using confidential Census microdata and a database of tribal government-owned casinos, I examine the local labor market effects of tribal gaming on different markets, over different time horizons, and for different subgroups. I find that tribal gaming is responsible for sustained improvements in employment and wages on reservations and that American Indians benefit the most. I also find that tribal gaming increases the average rental price of housing but by an amount smaller than the average wage increase, suggesting net local benefits.

Suggested Citation

  • Laurel Wheeler, 2023. "More than Chance: The Local Labor Market Effects of Tribal Gaming," Working Papers 23-22, Center for Economic Studies, U.S. Census Bureau.
    • Handle: RePEc:cen:wpaper:23-22
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    File URL: https://www2.census.gov/library/working-papers/2023/adrm/ces/CES-WP-23-22.pdf
    File Function: First version, 2023
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    4. Matthew J. Notowidigdo, 2020. "The Incidence of Local Labor Demand Shocks," Journal of Labor Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 38(3), pages 687-725.
    5. William N. Evans & Julie H. Topoleski, 2002. "The Social and Economic Impact of Native American Casinos," NBER Working Papers 9198, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    6. Matias Busso & Jesse Gregory & Patrick Kline, 2013. "Assessing the Incidence and Efficiency of a Prominent Place Based Policy," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 103(2), pages 897-947, April.
    7. Akee, Randall & Jorgensen, Miriam & Sunde, Uwe, 2015. "Critical junctures and economic development – Evidence from the adoption of constitutions among American Indian Nations," Journal of Comparative Economics, Elsevier, vol. 43(4), pages 844-861.
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    Cited by:

    1. Randall Akee & Maggie R. Jones & Emilia Simeonova, 2025. "Place Based Economic Development and Tribal Casinos," Working Papers 25-24, Center for Economic Studies, U.S. Census Bureau.
    2. Randall Akee & Maggie R. Jones & Emilia Simeonova, 2025. "Place-Based Economic Development and Tribal Casinos," NBER Chapters, in: The Economics of Place-Based Policies, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • R23 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Household Analysis - - - Regional Migration; Regional Labor Markets; Population
    • R58 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Regional Government Analysis - - - Regional Development Planning and Policy
    • J40 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Particular Labor Markets - - - General
    • J15 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Minorities, Races, Indigenous Peoples, and Immigrants; Non-labor Discrimination
    • L83 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Services - - - Sports; Gambling; Restaurants; Recreation; Tourism

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