Opinion: Gaming will benefit Massachusetts

Monday, March 17, 2008  

"It is no secret that our state's fiscal situation has many cities and towns walking a financial tightrope. That is why we have helped launch the Massachusetts Coalition for Jobs and Growth (www.masscoalitionforjobsandgrowth.com), a group of people and organizations who favor the Governor's proposal to build three resort-style casinos in Massachusetts - and get the benefit of the jobs, revenues, and economic stimulus those casinos will create.

In fact, an independent study released last week by the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce found that three resort-style casinos would generate over $2 billion of economic activity throughout the Commonwealth, and will produce between $490 and $542 million per year of new state revenue.

Those dollars will put more police officers and firefighters on the street. They will pay for more teachers, aid in reducing class sizes, and help improve facilities and resources for our school children. They will go toward fixing our aging roads and transportation infrastructure, something that has long been ignored and is in desperate need of repair.

We should be competing for our fair share of the $55 billion casino industry nationwide. Today, though, with more than 800 commercial and Native American casinos operating in the United States alone, and with resort casinos now within an hour's drive for many Massachusetts residents, it's time for the state's economy to reap some of the benefits.

Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun are at our border with Connecticut, attracting approximately seven million annual trips by Massachusetts residents, according to a recent UMass-Dartmouth study. Rhode Island's Twin Rivers and Newport Grand and New Hampshire card rooms attract increasingly more Massachusetts players every year. Maine and New York present similar opportunities."

Get the Story:
Jay Ash and Kim Driscoll: Driscoll and Ash: Casinos will bring jobs, revenue (GateHouse News Service 3/16)

An Opposing View:
Louise: Casinos' cost too high (GateHouse News Service 3/16)

Related Stories:
House rules will govern casino debate (The Cape Cod Times 3/17)
Gov. Patrick's casino plan takes center stage Tuesday (GateHouse News Service 3/17)