ARE LOCAL RESIDENTS FICKLE MINDED? INFLUENCE OF MORAL BELIEFS ON PERCEIVED GAMBLING IMPACTS.

This study examines the influence of moral beliefs on casino-style gambling impact perceptions. The subjects under investigation are the local population of the State of Iowa (USA). Results suggest that there is a significant relationship between moral values and the local resident attitudes toward gambling. Moral values predict quite a bit of variance in perceptions and they serve as a catalyst for negative perceptions. Overall, the results indicate that the Iowans are not fickle minded but they are a heterogeneous group of residents and their perceptions reflect their values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]