Effects of Gambling on Economy

[The Dude]

I have been hearing recently from quite a few people how damaging casinos are for local economies, and how much they just make the poor poorer. My gut reaction (and experience from being in casinos) is that these statements are based on false assumptions.

Does anybody have any references to specific studies done on the effects of casinos on local economies? I would be very interested to read what the real numbers are. After all, if I'm going to challenge their assumptions, I have to admit the possibility that I might be wrong.