Fast Facts

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.

When it comes to generating revenue, Massachusetts casinos will:

• Provide nearly $3 billion in new capital investment within the state's economy;

• Generate upwards of $600 million in licensing fees to the state even before a single slot machine reel spins or a hand of blackjack is dealt; and

• Generate $400 to $500 million annually in new tax revenues to the state.

More revenue statistics

• Spend more than $400 million for goods and services annually among small and medium-sized businesses, with vendor preference for Massachusetts-based businesses;

• Provide Massachusetts cities and towns with a significant increase in local aid if one-half of all gross gaming revenues (GGR) are dedicated to local aid;

• Provide each resort casino's host community with annual payments of between $7-$12 million; and

• Provide contiguous communities with annual payments of up to $600,000.

Fast Facts: Sources

Center for Policy Analysis, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth

Studies include:

• New England Casino Gaming Update, March 2009:  An update of the patron origin and fiscal impact analysis for Foxwoods Resort Casino, Mohegan Sun Casino, Twin River, Newport Grand, and Hollywood Slots.

• New England Casino Gaming Update, March 2008:  An update of the patron origin and fiscal impact analysis for Foxwoods Resort Casino, Mohegan Sun Casino, Twin River, Newport Grand, and Hollywood Slots. 

• Maximum Bet: A Preliminary Blueprint for Casino Gaming & Economic Development in Massachusetts, August 2007:  The purpose of this preliminary blueprint for casino gaming and economic development in Massachusetts is to offer recommendations for a statewide gaming policy that will maximize the economic impacts of expanded gambling in Massachusetts, while minimizing or mitigating its social impacts. 

• Life of Facility Gambling Revenues, November 2005:  This press release and accompanying data files present estimated lifetime revenues for Foxwoods Resort, Mohegan Sun, Lincoln Park, and Newport Grand. The analysis is based on data compiled during the past thirteen fiscal years, through June 30, 2005, by the Connecticut Division of Special Revenue (CDSR), the Rhode Island State Lottery (RISL), the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) Form 10K filings, and patron origin studies conducted by the CFPA since 1995.