Myth vs. Fact: A Reality Check

Opponents of resort-style casinos will say anything to keep these projects out of Massachusetts. Just look at the questions they'll ask to seed doubt in supporters:

• 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?

Don't be fooled. Get the facts here—The Facts on Resort Casinos in Massachusetts—and arm yourself to push back against the myths and hype.

Massachusetts residents in 2009:

• Bay Staters spent $968.3 million at the Connecticut casinos, and Rhode Island and Maine racinos;

• Spending by Bay Staters generated $230 million in tax revenues to Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Maine state governments.

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

• Overall, Bay Staters have now spent over $11 billion since the Connecticut casinos and Rhode Island racinos began operating in 1992, and the Maine racino in Nov 2005;

• Overall, that spending has generated over $4 billion in tax revenues for those three states.

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.