Casino Association of Indiana

Community Responsibility

Indiana's casinos are strong partners with the state and its communities. In addition to creating economic benefits, the casinos demonstrate community commitment through responsible gaming initiatives, voluntary financial contributions and nonprofit involvement.

Responsible Gambling

For a small percentage of commercial casino patrons, gaming ceases to be a form of entertainment and becomes a problem. Studies done on behalf of the National Gambling Impact Study Commission indicate that in any given year between .4 percent and 2 percent of the American population can be classified as problem gamblers.
The casino industry is the only form of gaming in Indiana that pays money to help prevent problem gaming and to treat those who take gaming to this level. Through the admission tax, Indiana's riverboat casinos have paid over $16 million to the Indiana Division of Mental Health for prevention and treatment of problem gaming.
In job training, all casino industry employees participate in problem gaming awareness programs, in which they learn how to recognize problem behavior and to offer assistance (i.e. the 1-800-9-WITH IT referral line on advertisements and promotional materials).
Indiana casino operators are vigilant in their efforts not to allow minors in their casinos.
According to the National Gambling Impact Study Commission Report issued in summer 1999, the vast majority of Americans game responsibly. In addition, according to this same study, the majority of Americans view gaming as an acceptable form of entertainment.

Voluntary Contributions
Aside from development agreements and taxes, Indiana casinos also voluntarily support their communities:

Management and staff at Argosy Casino & Hotel in Lawrenceburg annually volunteer hundreds of hours for community organizations and programs. Argosy and its employees annually make donations to more than 500 organizations including United Way, American Red Cross, Muscular Dystrophy Association, and Warm The Children. An annual employee talent show has raised $18,000 for the Dearborn County Shop With A Cop program for children in need.
Belterra Casino Resort is a proud and dedicated member of the Switzerland County community, supporting Switzerland County via volunteer services and financial assistance with projects designed to enhance area growth such as the New Medical Center and YMCA. Ongoing support includes the county United Way program, the Swiss Wine Festival, and the Madison Regatta in neighboring Jefferson County.
The Management and Team Members of Caesars Indiana are deeply committed to active community participation and have dedicated significant time, talent and treasures to regional organizations. Since 1998, local community, civic and charitable groups have received $1.6 million and recently, Caesars Indiana and Team Members pledged $75,000 for the new YMCA of Harrison County. The Management Team actively participates on many community boards in the region and Caesars Indiana Team Members are proudly involved as volunteers in an array of community activities with organizations, such as the YMCA, Chamber of Commerce, Junior Achievement, Habitat for Humanity, Leadership programs, Adopt A Highway, Repair Affair, and food and toy drives. Caesars Indiana has conducted the largest United Way Employee Campaigns in Harrison County for the last five years--contributing $464,767.
Since opening in 1995, Casino Aztar has voluntarily supported Evansville social service agencies and organizations with more than $2.5 million. Management staff participated in many local boards and community organizations.
Resorts East Chicago Code of Commitment and corporate philosophy of responsible citizenship embraces sharing our prosperity with our neighbors to make our communities better places to live, work, play and raise our families. As such, our management and employees actively give back to over 30 community not-for-profit organizations, through board memberships, mentoring and community volunteer projects. In addition, over 450 not-for-profit organizations were provided funding, and employees contributed over $65,000 to the local United Way Campaign.
Horseshoe Casino Hammond's charitable contribution goal is to support organizations that improve the economy and quality of life in Hammond and Northwest Indiana. Health and human services, arts, environment, community, and minority organizations that strive to improve the standard of living in the Lake County area are considered for funds. Since opening in June of 1996, over $4.1 million in monetary and in-kind donations has been contributed.
Grand Victoria Casino & Resort supports Rising Sun and Ohio County in many ways. Team members serve on many local boards and committees. Many donations, both monetary and in-kind, are given to organizations. A scholarship program has been established for employees or children of employees of Grand Victoria.
Majestic Star Casinos & Hotel takes its community leadership role very seriously. Besides strong employee volunteerism, executive representation on boards of several local charities and literally thousands of in-kind donations in the past five years. Majestic has voluntarily contributed in excess of $1 million to local and regional charitable organizations. Also makes annual contributions to hundreds of charities and not-for-profit organizations in Gary. Trump Indiana Foundation, funded by an original $1 million grant by Trump in 1996, awards 20 scholarships valued at $5,000 each, to deserving graduates of Gary high schools.

Q&A
Below are some commonly asked questions about the gaming industry in general and casino gaming in particular.

Q: Who visits Indiana's riverboat casinos?
A: In 2001 alone, more than 19 million people visited Indiana's 10 casinos. The average patron takes 2.1 cruises per visit, resulting in 41 million admissions annually to all of Indiana's casinos. According to the National Gambling Impact Study Commission Report issued summer 1999, the average household income of commercial casino patrons is about one-third higher than the national average household income. The communications efforts of Indiana's casinos reach this audience.

Q: Why does the industry call itself "gaming"?
A: Gambling can occur in an unregulated or minimally regulated environment. Gaming, however, is a highly regulated industry. All casinos and their employees must be licensed and follow strict regulations developed by the state. In addition, gaming is multi-dimensional. Indiana casinos generally feature restaurants, hotels and live performances - a complete entertainment package.

Q. Are gaming and bankruptcy related?
A: Legalized gaming and bankruptcy rates have grown recently, leading some to theorize the two trends may be linked. A study released by the U.S. Treasury Department in August 1999 found a statistically weak relationship between frequent gaming and bankruptcy. The National Gambling Impact Study Commission Report issued summer 1999 supports this finding.

Q. Does the presence of casinos affect crime rates in the host communities?
A: Crime does not necessarily increase with the presence of a casino in a community. For example, in a 1998 report issued by the IU Center for Urban Policy and the Environment, School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Gary's chief of police states that Majestic Star Casino's presence has not contributed to additional crime activity in the neighborhood surrounding the casino. In addition, in testimony before the Interim Study Committee on Economic Issues in October 1999, Gary Mayor Scott King testified that Gary, a community in which two casinos operate, has not seen an increase in crime, but rather a significant decrease.

Q: How often do casino patrons seek help for problem gaming?
A: According to research done on behalf of the Indiana Gambling Impact Study Commission, which released its findings in December 1999, 365 people have enrolled in state-certified gaming treatment programs since 1997. In that same time, millions of people visited Indiana casinos. Through the admission tax, casino gaming is the only form of gaming in the state that provides funding to help prevent problem gaming and to treat those who do take gaming to this level. The admission tax also pays for the 1-800-9-WITH-IT referral line.

If you would like answers to other questions specifically about the casino industry in Indiana, contact the Casino Association of Indiana at: info@CasinoAssociation.org.

AGA Gaming Industry FAQ (PDF - 2.68 MB)

Community Casinos Facts at Your Fingertips (PDF - 2.38 MB)