Massachusetts residents spent a whopping $1.1 billion at southern New England's gambling outlets last year, outspending Rhode Island and Connecticut visitors at those same casinos.

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.