The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has awarded a $3 million, three year contract to a University of Massachusetts Amherst research team to research the effects of gaming on the state as the state’s largest casinos, the Encore Boston Harbor and MGM Springfield, mature into their markets.
The contract leaves open two more renewals, for a total of 12 years of research.
The research will look at both the positive and negative influences that gaming has on the state.
Lead investigator Rachel Volberg of UMass School of Public Health & Health Sciences, told CDC Gaming Reports, “In the case of negative impacts, we’re hoping that this information will be useful to folks who are concerned about problem gambling and people who are affected by problem gambling in the community.”
The research group previously established baseline conditions before any casinos began operating. It has followed the effects of the casinos as they have come on line, as well as the effects of construction.
Volberg added, “This new phase of the study is going to be looking more closely at the economic and social impact of the casinos as they operate in Massachusetts.”
It will research individuals to find out what kind of gambling they do, how much they spend, how often they play and include such things as mental health conditions.
