Compare and contrast the colonial period up to the end of the 19th century with the developments in the 20th century as it pertains to gambling in the United States
The Native American’s developed the language and games during the colonial time that described gambling and how their gods were the ones who determined fate and change. The gambling during this period was not about luck, but more of a blessing from gods, very different than modernized gambling. In comparison with the 19th and 20th century, gambling was a problem with some in the colonial period. In 1639, there was a documented case of suicide due to a gambling loss. Gabling shifted to fund projects, dating back to the 13 colonies prominent members used it to raise building funds. It was even used to fund the American Revolution. In 1937, Nevada legalized casino gambling. Mobster Bugsy Siegel operated the Flamingo in Las Vegas. In 1957 gambler anonymous was created. Howard Hughes purchases several Nevada casino properties from 1966-1970 showing the industry is growing. The evolution of gambling was for personal gain, in the gambling industry and those who tried their luck.

Compare and contrast the types of crimes as well as casino, next to casino, and none casino counties as it pertains to the Grinols and Mustards study on casinos and crime.

There are many types of crimes that take place after the casinos have opened in an area. The factors such as pathological and problem gambling that increase crime takes place over time. In contrast, these crimes are not ones that preventative measures can prevent. Crime is low after the casino opens, however it grows over time. They found that crime in casino counties are around 8% of the crime was a result of the casinos. In most cases the impact of crime due to casinos began about three years after the introduction of the casino and increased over time. The gamblers who have the problems would turn to crime when their resources were depleted. In contrast, those without gambling issues would not turn to crime. When nonresidents go to casinos they can become victims of crime, they may commit crimes, or both. Casinos turn to lowering their information costs and then increase the potential for benefiting from illegal activities.

Compare and contrast survey data that indicate favorable attitudes toward gambling with data that indicate unfavorable attitudes toward gambling

The survey data shows that there are favorable and unfavorable attitudes toward gambling. When gambling is legal, there are many attitudes that show the negative consequences of having casinos. The legal attitude towards casinos and gambling is that the consequences generate more negative attitudes towards gambling. In contrast, when gambling is illegal, people tend to forget about the potential issues and then argue that more liberal laws need to be created. The attitudes towards gambling that is illegal shows that they have unsatisfied needs for gambling and establishes a market niche that can usually only be filed by illegal gambling. This opens the door for far more issues than regulated legal gambling. The survey results shows that there was a large increase in cognitive error recognition and their attitudes towards gambling grew to be far more negative than positive.

Consider the documentary we viewed on Casino Wars as well as the presentation by Mr. Mark Mason. What are the security concerns of a casino? How does a casino address these concerns? What career opportunities might exist for someone with a criminal justice degree and/or experience?

Casinos generate a significant amount of revenue, and there are many people who want to get their hands on that money. Players are always trying to find a way to beat the house, and card sharks make a living by doing just that. The security concerns of the casino are to monitor each customers and make sure they are abiding by their rules. They have to spend a significant amount of money on surveillance and security. The casino has to watch every individual who is winning, to make sure that they are not cheating. Customers are always finding new ways to ‘beat the system’.

The casino has to address the security concerns through a very expensive security system and individual to monitor them. As customers find a way to beat the house, the casino has to find a way to combat the cheating. It is done by state of the art equipment and a checks-and-balance system. The casinos typically have hundreds if not thousands of cameras that allow them to watch any machine on the floor. They have to find a way to spot those who are trying to cheat the system. The casinos have to be on their toes to find anyone who poses a threat to them. They also have to make sure that their surveillance cameras are in perfect working order every day, if not a six figure loss could occur without any proof of who committed the crimes. Beating the house by cheating is illegal and it can carry serious legal repercussions, however the casinos need to be able to prove it.

There is a big career opportunity for someone with a criminal justice degree to work inside of the casino or even outside of it. The casinos have a high need for security to protect their customers and their own best interest. When that much money is at stake, there is concern about internal and external theft. The casino looks to internal security to monitor the customers and the employees, making sure all comply with their regulations. An individual with a criminal degree would be a great asset to the casino. There is also a need for increased police presence, which would create an opportunity externally for employment.