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Myth vs. Fact: A Reality Check

Those opposing bringing resort casinos to Massachusetts will say anything to keep these projects from moving forward, but don’t be fooled. These are just a few examples of questions they might ask, trying to put doubt in the minds of casino proponents:

  • Will resort casinos really generate millions of dollars in new revenue for Massachusetts?

  • Will the addition of resort casinos hurt local businesses, or proven revenue machines like the Massachusetts State Lottery?

  • Don’t resort casinos lead to increases in gambling addiction and crime?

See below for more Facts on gaming in Massachusetts.

Massachusetts residents in 2008:

  • Spent nearly $1 billion at the Connecticut casinos and Rhode Island slot parlors; 

  • Generated $211 million in tax revenues to the Connecticut and Rhode Island state treasuries;

  • Are responsible for creating nearly 6,000 jobs at the Connecticut casinos and Rhode Island slot parlors.

Since New England’s casinos and slot parlors opened in the 1990s, Massachusetts residents have:

  • Wagered more than $100 billion;

  • Spent more than $10 billion in gaming and non-gaming expenditures; and 

  • Generated more than $4 billion in tax revenues to the Connecticut and Rhode Island state treasuries.

When it comes to creating jobs, Massachusetts casinos will:

  • Create thousands of construction jobs;

  • Create thousands of resort casino jobs, with employment preference for Massachusetts residents;

  • Create more than 3,000 new jobs within the non-casino private sector, through new small and medium-sized business development and expansion; and

  • Grow the state’s tourism and hospitality sectors, as well as generate new domestic and international visitations in convention and meeting business.

  • In The News

May 26, 2009

State scrambles to cover its own bills

[Gloucester Daily Times] Senate President Therese Murray said the Senate hopes to incorporate expanded gambling revenues as soon as possible, but not in time for this year's general appropriations bill. "We can't do it fast enough," Murray told reporters at a Senate budget panel hearing. "We're going to do it as fast as we can, but there has to be an oversight and regulation put in first before we decide where (and) what type of gaming to do." Read More

May 17, 2009

As economy sours, Mass. gambling debate heats up

[Associated Press via WBZ TV] As lawmakers scramble for revenues, casino gambling -- declared dead just a year ago -- is seeing its odds surge again, helped on by a key change in leadership on Beacon Hill and the state's desperate need for cash. When faced with deep service cuts or unpopular tax increases, casino licensing fees and gambling tax revenues could sway enough support on Beacon Hill -- especially as the state continues to see Massachusetts residents drive over the border to spend their gambling dollars in neighboring states. Read More

May 10, 2009

Recession spurs casino support

[The Republican] Massachusetts can - for now - only dream of raking in the kind of cash coming from slot machine tax revenues in Pennsylvania. Since the first slot machine casino opened there in 2006, the Keystone State has taken in $2 billion in taxes and casino license fees through the end of last year. Read More

May 1, 2009

Four North Shore leaders back creating resort casinos

[Boston Globe] Mayors Thomas G. Ambrosino of Revere, Kimberley L. Driscoll of Salem, Carolyn A. Kirk of Gloucester, and Chelsea City Manager Jay Ash are part of the Massachusetts Coalition for Jobs and Growth, a newly revived group of local officials, unions, and businesses advocating for licensing three resort-style casinos. Read More

Click**Jobs and Growth Today**Here

19,000 Jobs are in CT casinos.

$900 Mil- $1 Billion Massachusetts dollars goes south every year.

What is the problem????