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THE BAY STATE LIKES TO GAMBLE

State lost out on $233 million in tax last year

The recent furore in the Massachusetts state legislature over Governor Deval Patrick's rejected proposal to launch three land resort casinos and ban online gambling has focused attention on the state and its gambling proclivities, with a recent study indicating that neighbouring states are reaping big rewards from Massachusetts players.

A new study has found Massachusetts residents spent $1.1 billion at Connecticut casinos and Rhode Island slot parlours last year, generating more than $233 million in tax revenues for those states.

Researchers at the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth found that Bay State citizens spent $846 million at Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun in Connecticut, and $195 million at Twin River and Newport Grand in Rhode Island in 2007.

The fifth annual study by professor Clyde Barrow says Massachusetts residents made more than eight million visits to gambling facilities in other New England states in 2007.