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—Casino Myths: Five Myths of Resort Casino Gaming—and arm yourself to push back against the myths and hype.

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.