Everybody turns left: Casino impacts on the economic landscape of Main Street Boonville, Missouri

Missouri legalized riverboat casino gambling in 1994 after a wave of legalization swept through the Midwest. This case study of Boonville examines the economic landscape of Missouri's newest casino host community using a mixed-methods research approach. Results show that while Isle of Capri casino has brought more visitors to the city, those visitors do not patronize businesses outside of the casino. This consumption pattern has led to improved viability of businesses oriented to either the casino or its gamblers, while causing negative impacts upon businesses oriented to local residents. The study concludes that Boonville's economic landscape is shifting in favor of casino gambling. Findings from this study could be used to assess whether riverboat casinos are a viable source of revenue for either host communities or the State of Missouri. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)...