Casino Critic Issues Report On Gaming
An outspoken critic of the casino legislation called into question the revenue and job-creation figures that an expansion of gaming could bring to the Bay State.
Former Massachusetts Attorney General Scott Harshbarger's organization, Citizens for a Stronger Massachusetts, issued a new report that dismisses many of the positive benefits proponents of casinos have outlined throughout the debate. Political leaders are debating the casino legislation this week.
The report claims that the revenue and job-creation figures touted by supporters are "rosy" and "wildly optimistic."
For example, the report says casinos could divert $700 million to $1.3 billion in household spending. When that much household money is spent at casinos and not elsewhere in the economy, it could lead to a loss of 5,700 to 10,600 jobs, the report says.
The report also predicts a 5 to 10 percent drop in lottery revenues. While gaming revenues could total $1.2 billion, opponents said that could still leave as much as a $90 million hole for local aid to cities and towns from lottery revenue.
Some studies have found that casinos could pump $500 million into state coffers from taxes, based on a $2 billion gross revenue estimate. Casinos could create upwards of 17,000 to 21,000 permanent positions in Massachusetts, according to a 2008 study by the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce.
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