Chamber study says 3 casinos would create 10,000 construction jobs

March 6, 2008 12:30 PM Email| Comments (0)| Text size – +

By Matt Viser, Globe Staff

The Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce today weighed in on the casino debate, releasing its own report on the economic impacts of Governor Deval Patrick’s proposal to license three casinos in Massachusetts.

The chamber study, "Casino Gaming in Massachusetts: An Economic, Fiscal, & Social Analysis," found that three casinos would produce $2 billion to $2.3 billion in annual gross gaming revenues, netting $376 million to $429 million in state revenues. It also found that 17,000 to 21,000 permanent jobs would be created. Those estimates are largely consistent, though slightly lower, than those that the Patrick administration has been using.

The study also found that 10,000 to 11,500 one-time construction jobs would be created – much lower than the 30,000 jobs that the governor has been touting.

The independent study, which was conducted by UHY Advisors, does not take a position or make any recommendations.

“We hope that this analysis can serve as an independent basis for further discussion of this important issue in the weeks and months ahead,” said Paul Guzzi, president and chief executive officer of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce.

Patrick has been squabbling with House Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi over the number of construction jobs that would be created by his plan to license three resort casinos. On Monday, DiMasi cited a Globe analysis and called the governor’s job estimates "absurd."

Patrick fired back Tuesday and sent a letter to each of the 155 members of the House that accused DiMasi of “attacking ideas without proposing sound alternatives.”