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Bay Staters lead region in gambling
Top Headlines According to the 2007 New England Gaming Update, released today by the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth's Center for Policy Analysis, Bay Staters spent their money as follows: $876 million at Foxwoods Resort Casino and Mohegan Sun Casino, both in Connecticut. $180 million at Lincoln Park, now Twin River, and Newport Grand, both in Rhode Island. $1.4 million at Hollywood Slots in Bangor, Maine. The draw, according to Clyde W. Barrow, the center's director, is obvious. Coupled with a lack of options within their state, Massachusetts are appreciating those locations as destination gambling facilities. "Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods are so heavily invested in developing their facilities into four-season gaming, entertainment and destination resort facilities, while at the same time enhancing their domination of the Massachusetts and Rhode Island markets," Barrow said. Foxwoods, in partnership with MGM Grand, is scheduled to complete its $700 million expansion project in summer 2008. Mohegan Sun plans a $740 million project, scheduled for completion in spring 2010. Massachusetts residents are the largest customer base at Foxwoods, at 35 percent. They even visit the casino more than Connecticut residents. They also compose 41 percent of Twin River customers and 44 percent of Newport Grand patrons. Rhode Island residents comprise 58 percent of patrons at Twin River and 52 percent at Newport Grand. They make up just 14 percent of Foxwoods patrons and 5 percent of Mohegan Sun customers, which may suggest they stay in-state at Rhode Island's smaller gaming and slot-machine facilities. Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun generated about $3.15 billion in spending in 2006. Both casinos experienced increases in gaming and non-gaming revenues. Spending at those casinos by Massachusetts contributed an estimated $119 million to the Connecticut state treasury. The UMass Dartmouth center plans to release a series of recommendations as to how Massachusetts could maximize potential economic benefits if state officials approve one or more casinos and slot machines at the state's racetracks. If Massachusetts approves slots at the tracks, Barrow said, "and imposes a gaming tax less than Rhode Island's, (Twin River) and Newport Grand could face a significant patron drain and revenue decline in a short amount of time." Plainridge Racecourse in Plainville is one of the state's four racetracks and has been actively lobbying for a chance to put slot machines at its Route 1 facility. REBECCA KEISTER can be reached at 508-236-0336 or at rkeister@thesunchronicle.com.
Post Your Comments joedice wrote on Apr 2, 2007 3:09 PM: " so true, being an addict myself i wish that lincoln would have never opened.it has the worst payback in the country.its just like drugs,even worst..this year alone 8k thou,may be more.considering my income, is only 18 k. a year. " NO to GAMBLING wrote on Apr 2, 2007 2:40 PM: " Yes it is small portion who embezzel to gamble. But the victims of this embezzelment nonprofits elderly and business need to be protected. If we are to increase the odds of embezzlement with gambling we need to set aside a fund to replace these stolen funds. " Bon jour wrote on Apr 2, 2007 2:36 PM: " Even that famed European gambling mecca, Monte Carlo, has recognized the limits of gambling. Over the past 20 years the principality has become a diverse financial and technical center. They no longer depend on sucking money out of peoples' bank accounts. " Stop calling it gaming wrote on Apr 2, 2007 1:37 PM: " I wish the PR flacks and for the casinos and the press would stop calling it "gaming". It's gambling. Gaming implies you have an chance at winning on the basis of your skills, like Monopoly or chess. Gambling is when you will most likely lose and it's mostly based on chance. (One of the funniest things I ever read about was a slot machine tournament. A monkey that could press a button has the same chance as a genius). Do you think those huge casinos are built on food and drink sales? " Big Brother wrote on Apr 2, 2007 12:16 PM: " "The states need to protect people" Okay big brother. The vast majority of gamblers do not embezzle to support their habits or bet the rent or food money. Those are the hard luck Channel 12 news stories to tug at your heart strings. The problem is that the discretionary spending that would go to movies, restaurants a new car will be diverted to the casinos. There will be two beneficiaries; The government and the out of state gambling companies that will get most of the money.
If casinos are going to require a local Indian tribe (and I don't see why) they will get a small percentage of the take. " NO TO GAMBLING wrote on Apr 2, 2007 11:04 AM: " If they use their own money thats fine.To often gamblers use other peoples money.The states need to protect the victims by setting aside some of this revenue for these victims.State coffers should no be enriched by illegal activity. " How about real jobs wrote on Apr 2, 2007 10:17 AM: " Don't think that putting a casino in Massachusetts will be a great source of tax revenue. Money that would go to the movies and restaurants will be diverted to the gambling form of crack -- slot machines.
If you want to send me your money I promise to send 60% of it to the state. " or
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