Those who claim that expanding the number of licensed gambling operations in Iowa would help the economy need to review crime statistics, which suggest bringing a casino to one’s town also brings increased crime, including domestic abuse.

In Osceola, for example, statistics gathered from Iowa Department of Public Safety (IDPS) crime reports paint a dismal picture of escalating criminal acts and domestic violence since Lakeside Casino opened in 2000. A comparison of 1998—99 versus 2001—02 statistics indicates that crime in Osceola rose by 50 percent. Likewise, domestic violence jumped 50 percent from pre-casino days.

In Lee County, Fort Madison became home to a riverboat casino in 1994. According to IDPS data, crime in that county jumped 98 percent from 1992—93 to 1995—96. IDPS data also shows an even more precipitous crime climb in Altoona, where Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino has operated since 1995. A comparison of 1993—94 versus 1996—97 indicates that crime rose 104 percent and domestic violence rose 111 percent in Altoona.

Cities attracted to the lure of jobs and lucrative tax base that casino operators offer need to balance that lure against the harsh reality of increased crime and loss of local business vitality.

Iowa data is consistent with statistics from other parts of the country. According to FBI uniform crime reports, the crime rate in Atlantic City tripled between 1978, when casinos were authorized, and 1981. Atlantic City went from being 50th in the country in crime to first. Overall, it has been found that crime rates in casino communities are 84 percent higher than the national average, according to J.D. Shapiro in “America’s Gambling Fever,” published in the January 15, 1996 issue of U.S. News and World Report.

Closer to home, in Minnesota, the crime rate in casino counties has been rising twice as fast as that of non-gambling counties. (This is from a report by McGarth and Ison called “Gambling spawns a new breed of criminal,” published in the Minneapolis Star Tribune December 4, 1995.)

The Iowa Racing & Gaming Commission cannot ignore or dismiss this data. Iowa’s moratorium on gambling expansion must be preserved. Cities itching for new jobs and casino revenue must recognize that a community’s crime and domestic violence rates could very well escalate, and existing businesses and quality of life could be hurt immeasurably.