Study: Mass. spent more than $1B at Conn., RI casinos in 2007

DARTMOUTH, Mass.—A new study has found Massachusetts residents spent $1.1 billion at Connecticut casinos and Rhode Island slot parlors 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.

Gov. Deval Patrick wants to keep some of that money at home, but his proposal to license three resort-style casinos in Massachusetts was voted down in the Legislature last week.