Greg Duncan, a professor at the University of California, calculated that lifting an American family out of poverty takes an average of about $4,500 annually – less than the Cherokee casino payouts. In the end, the return on this investment, per child, would be:
•12.5% more hours worked
•$3,000 annual savings on welfare
•$50,000–$100,000 additional lifetime earnings
•$10,000–$20,000 additional state tax revenues