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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?
You can find the answers to all of these in our new section - Casino Myths: Five Myths of Resort Casino Gaming.
And see below for more Facts on gaming in Massachusetts.
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.
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.
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.
While former House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi torpedoed Gov. Deval Patrick's earlier proposal to license up to three casinos, the North End Democrat resigned in January amid an ethics scandal. New Speaker Robert DeLeo favors slot machines and is open to casinos, while Senate President Therese Murray responded with a "ka-ching" and a mock slot machine pull when asked about the issue at an April Chamber of Commerce event. Read More
[The Medford Transcript] DeLeo said a municipal relief package is in the works to “help cities and towns keep their heads above water.” In addition, DeLeo told the chamber members to expect a debate on expanding gaming activities later this year. “I feel this could be an additional economic engine for us in Massachusetts,” DeLeo said, noting the construction of a casino or casinos is one possibility on the table. Read More
[Cape Cod Times] One of the signal accomplishments of the 1993 Education Reform Act was to create the Massachusetts Family Network Program, serving ages birth to 3 in universal access programs. These highly cost-effective programs now face a devastating cut that would reduce their funding as of July 1 to 27.5 percent of what it was a year ago. Read More
[Boston Globe] With Massachusetts revenues dropping by the day, Governor Deval Patrick has been looking in every corner to fund the cash-strapped state. Last week, he called on the Legislature to turn over its piggy bank. As the House and Senate began meeting last week to hammer out the joint version of the budget they will submit for the governor's signature, Patrick sent the Legislature his revised budget with new cuts - including one that calls for moving $22 million from the Legislature's "prior appropriations continued" account, a reserve fund, to the state's general fund. Read More
05/28/09 - Massachusetts budget woes could still sting Needham schools.
05/26/09 - State scrambles to cover its own bills.
05/17/09 - As economy sours, Mass. gambling debate heats up.
05/10/09 - Recession spurs casino support.
Governor Deval Patrick expressed public interest in bringing gaming to the Commonwealth.
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