A dynamic model of Gambling addiction with social costs: theory and policy solutions

Becchetti, Leonardo and Solferino, Nazaria and Tessitore, M. Elisabetta (2016): A dynamic model of Gambling addiction with social costs: theory and policy solutions.

Abstract

We investigate the effects of gambling addiction in a dynamic model in which wellbeing crucially depends on the accumulation of relational goods which is weakened by the consumption of gambling. We outline conditions under which gambling may become addictive leading to a suboptimal equilibrium from a social point of view. We examine the relative effectiveness of different policy solutions (tax on gambling, gambling restrictions) in bridging the distance between the equilibrium without intervention and social optimum.

• Item Type: MPRA Paper
• Language: English
• Keywords: addiction, gambling, social costs
• Subjects: D - Microeconomics > D1 - Household Behavior and Family Economics > D10 - General; I - Health, Education, and Welfare > I1 - Health > I18 - Government Policy ; Regulation ; Public Health

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