Washington, D.C. -- February 2, 2023
Dr. Rachel Volberg, Research Professor, University of Massachusetts Amherst - Faculty of the School of Public Health and Health Sciences gave the 2023 Raschkowan Webinar for the NCPG.
With the passage of the Expanded Gaming Act in 2011, Massachusetts authorized the development of a casino industry in the state. During the subsequent eight years, three resort casinos were built in the cities of Plainville, Springfield, and Everett. These casinos brought immediate economic benefit to the Commonwealth in the form of local job creation, tourism revenue, tax revenue, and local aid. In addition, the social impacts of introducing casinos with electronic gaming machines and table games into the state have been documented by the SEIGMA team over the last decade with some surprising, and some not so surprising, results. The recent legalization of sports betting will bring a new gambling format to the Massachusetts gambling landscape. The economic and social impacts of such a venture can only be speculated upon at this early stage; however, previous work done by the research team can provide an idea of the potential impacts the introduction of sports betting may bring to the Commonwealth over time. See the presentation slides here.
