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Researcher's study supports casino growth11 June 2007MASSACHUSETTS -- As reported by the Boston Globe: "Clyde W. Barrow deals in large numbers, and one massive figure in particular is attracting a lot of attention these days: almost $1 billion. It is the amount, the state college professor says, that Massachusetts residents spend annually in Connecticut's two Indian-owned casinos. "Barrow has become the undisputed king of academic research on gambling trends in New England. And whether he likes it or not, the results of his data-crunching are being cited by gambling proponents as rationale for building casinos in Massachusetts. "But Barrow's figures are also being bitterly contested as Massachusetts gears up for a debate over the Mashpee Wampanoag Indian tribe's proposal for a mega casino in Middleborough. Some who oppose new casinos say Barrow's figure is inflated and based on faulty methodology, and question his objectivity. "The numbers are extremely important, because by Barrow's estimate Massachusetts resi dents are pouring $120 million annually into the Connecticut state treasury, money that casino proponents say would stay at home if a casino opens here. "...Barrow's breakthrough research came in 1999, when he led a group of students to the asphalt parking lots of Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun, clipboards and calculators in hand. By counting the number of motor vehicles with Massachusetts license plates, Barrow extrapolated that state residents spent $620 million a year at the casinos. "...No one disputes that Massachusetts is well represented at the Connecticut casinos. But Bosley and others say Barrow's numbers make a Massachusetts casino seem more palatable if only to keep those who gamble spending locally..." |