15672. CASINO GAMBLING: GROWTH AND IMPACT. Focusing closely on Indian casinos and to a lesser extent riverboat casinos, this paper provides an overview and analysis of the growth and impact of the recent rapid expansion of the non-traditional casino legal gambling sector, with consideration of the implications for hospitality operators. The role of state budgetary shortfalls and the 1988 Indian Gambling Regulatory Act (IGRA) in driving casino growth is discussed and the general scope and pace of the casino development pattern is considered. The empirical and anecdotal literature examining the economic and social impact of casino expansion is reviewed and analyzed. The implications of rapid casino development - both in terms of threats and in terms of opportunities - for the hospitality industry are discussed. KEYWORDS: casinos gambling social impact indian casino gamblers compulsive. 14 pages, 34 footnotes, 22 bibliographic sources. 3,972 words.