As the Florida legislature considers allowing the commercialization of casino gambling in the state, College of Charleston economics professor Doug Walker will play an influential role as he testifies at senate and house committee meetings this week.

Walker collaborated on a gambling impact study with Spectrum Gaming for the Florida legislature over the summer. The results of their study on the “Assessment of Potential Changes to Florida Gaming Industry and Resulting Economic Effects” and the “Statistical Relationships between Gaming and Economic Variables for Communities” will be the focus of his testimony.

Walker is considered a leading authority in the world on the economic and social impacts of gambling. He has published two books and 40 journal articles and book chapters on various related topics including political corruption, and the effects of legalized gambling on state government revenue.  His most recent book, Casinonomics was released in May 2013.  He teaches microeconomics, international economics, senior seminar, and a special topics class on the economics of gambling.  Walker earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting from Kansas State University and his doctorate degree in economics from Auburn.

[Related: View Walker’s presentations, publications, and consulting work.]

For more information on his research background and perspectives on commercialized gambling, contact Doug Walker in the College of Charleston School of Business, at walkerd@cofc.edu or 843.953.8192.