Summary:

In this report, the SEIGMA team analyzed data from all three casinos between January 2020 and June 20211 in order to assess the impacts of the COVID-19 crisis on the casino industry in Massachusetts to date. In keeping with the broader mission of the SEIGMA project and the other work of the UMass Donahue Institute, the SEIGMA team approached this task with a particular eye toward equity issues. As is well-documented, social distancing efforts associated with the pandemic led to widespread shutdowns and staff reductions in the economy, particularly in the leisure and hospitality sector. As these effects were becoming clear in the summer of 2020, the SEIGMA team felt it was an important opportunity to track the nature and extent of pandemic-related shocks to casinos, their workforce, and the related economic ecosystem.