Casino proposals for Massachusetts need cost-benefit analysis

Letters to The Editor: Casino proposals for Massachusetts need cost-benefit analysis

Casino proposals for Massachusetts need cost-benefit analysis

Recently I have heard many statements about the popularity and economic viability of casinos from politicians and so called experts. A professor from the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth who appears to be advocating on behalf of casino owners reports that the recent survey indicating a majority of residents in the state support casino gambling is evidence that the electorate approves.

However, in the last two years alone roughly $6 million has been spent by lobbyists for the casino owners. People have not heard the whole story about the economic and social pitfalls of casinos.

Similarly, I heard a local state senator equate slot machines with scratch tickets. How could an elected official say such a thing? According to abundant and easily accessible research, slot machines are designed to be the most addictive form of legalized gambling available.

How do we know that casinos will help our state’s economy? No state in the country has ever solved its budget problems with gambling revenues. We need good jobs, but claims of the jobs that would be created made by politicians and casino executives vary greatly, indicating uncertainty. The state Lottery and local businesses, both significant sources of state revenues, would be put at risk.

Sen. Stephen Brewer, D-Barre, has introduced a bill requiring a detailed cost-benefit analysis as a prerequisite to the introduction of slot parlors or casinos. I encourage readers to contact their legislators to encourage them to support the senator’s bill.

Gambling preys on the poor, the elderly and the addicted, and the only clear beneficiaries are wealthy casino owners. Before we make a decision to go down this path we need to hear both sides of the story.

– STEVEN ABDOW, Finance Officer, Episcopal Diocese of Western Mass., Springfield