A spatial analytical approach to assess the impact of a casino on crime: An example of JACK Casino in downtown Cincinnati

• Published in: Cities Vol. 111; p. 103003
• Main Authors: Lan, Minxuan, Liu, Lin, Eck, John E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.04.2021
• Subjects: Casino; Crime; Distance decay; Proximity; Spatial analysis; Spatial analysis; Distance decay; Proximity; Casino; Crime
• ISSN: 0264-2751; 1873-6084
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cities.2020.103003

This study examines the macro and micro impacts of a casino on multiple crime types over time. JACK Casino, opened on March 4, 2013, is near the Central Business District of Cincinnati, Ohio. We use the weighted displacement quotient and a series of negative binomial models for the years from 2010 to 2016 to compare before-and-after crime patterns within the neighboring area of the casino (within 400-meter) compared to the entire city. Results show that the casino has differing effects on property and violent crime in regard to crime density and spatial patterns. Within the casino's neighboring area, property crime density decreased in the year of construction (2012) and the year of opening (2013), but increased in the following years (2014–2016). At the same time, the city experienced an overall decline in property crime. Also, property crime incidents started to cluster around the casino after its opening. We confirmed this distance decay by statistical analyses at both macro (citywide) and micro (neighboring area) scales. In contrast, the casino did not show such an obvious impact on violent crime. The initial increase of violent crime density just after the casino opened was followed by a drop to the pre-casino level. Meanwhile, although violent crime patterns around the casino were slightly altered because of the casino, the change was not statistically significant. The difference between property and violent crime in response to the casino's opening is an important contribution to the literature. Our findings also demonstrate that it is vital to examine the micro-spatial and temporal impact of casinos, rather than rely on the cross-sectional examination of jurisdiction-wide crime levels. Further, this approach should be generally applicable to other regions. •Developed a spatial analytical approach for assessing the macro and micro impacts of a casino on crime.•Tested the general applicability of the analytical approach using an example of JACK Casino in Cincinnati, Ohio.•Property crime clustered around JACK Casino after its opening and distance decay is confirmed at macro and micro scales.•Patterns of violent crime were not significantly altered and its initial increase around JACK Casino dropped a year after.