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FACT BRIEF

Is Las Vegas likely to experience a significant increase in sex trafficking when it hosts the 2024 Super Bowl?

By Todd Butterworth
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NO

Evidence suggests major sporting events such as the Super Bowl do not cause increased sex trafficking.

A study of academic literature found 76% of U.S. print media stories reported a causal link between the Super Bowl and sex trafficking. However, studies of major sporting events found no such link. Conversely, studies suggest major sporting events may constrict sex markets, possibly because of reduced availability of regular clients and an increase in policing.

Another study, by the McCain Institute, found no evidence the 2014 Super Bowl caused additional sex trafficking in the days preceding the game.

Two years later, the Santa Clara County, California Police Department said, “We actually were able to contact more sex workers and had more john arrests in one day in October 2016 than we did during a three-week period leading up to the Super Bowl.” 

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
Anti-Trafficking Review Debunking the Myth of ‘Super Bowl Sex Trafficking’: Media hype or evidenced-based coverage
McCain Institute exploring sex trafficking and prostitution demand during the Super Bowl 2014
Sports Illustrated Santa Clara Police, 2016 Super Bowl
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The Nevada Independent
The Nevada Independent is a nonpartisan, nonprofit news and opinion website founded in 2017 by veteran political journalist and commentator Jon Ralston. The site and its supporting channels are focused on ethical, unbiased and transparent journalism. In general, we aim to gather and disseminate important public information and increase civic engagement. We are supported by corporate donations, memberships, event ticket sales and sponsorships and foundation grants. We disclose all our members and donors. Donors have no influence over our content, ever. The Nevada Independent is the dba for Nevada News Bureau, Inc., a 501(c)3 nonprofit founded in 2010 by Elizabeth Thompson, who now serves as one of The Nevada Independent's managing directors and its Editor.
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Fact briefs are short, credibly sourced summaries that offer “yes/no” answers in response to claims found online. They rely on publicly available, often primary source data and documents. Fact briefs are created by contributors to Gigafact —a nonprofit project looking to expand participation in fact-checking and protect the democratic process. See all fact briefs here.