Summary:

The original research plan for the Social and Economic Impacts of Gambling in Massachusetts (SEIGMA) study identified the need for patron surveys at all licensed gaming facilities in the state. These surveys would enable the research team to ascertain the geographic origin and demographics of people patronizing Massachusetts casinos. Asking patrons directly about their gambling and non-gambling expenditures during casino visits would help the MGC and other stakeholders better understand the economic impacts of the new gambling establishments on the Commonwealth. Through economic analysis, the data would offer a glimpse into the amount of spending that is “new” to the state or “recaptured” back to the state. It would also shed light on the amount of spending which has been “reallocated” from other activities and products. The surveys would also be useful in understanding patrons’ perceptions and experiences with the new venues and begin to track the impact of responsible gambling measures such as the GameSense program. The research plan calls for patron surveys to be conducted at all Massachusetts casinos shortly after opening and repeated at regular intervals.

Given the purpose of the patron surveys, SEIGMA members from both the social and economic teams collaborated closely on the project, working together to create and implement the survey, and later to analyze the data and report on the findings contained in this report. One of the important and unique aspects of this survey was the great lengths the team took to capture a sample of patrons that was as representative as possible. This included: conducting the survey 6-12 months after the venue had opened in order to allow patronage to settle; sampling patronage in both winter and summer months and during peak and non-peak days and times; and appropriately weighting the sample to account for response bias. In total, 479 surveys were completed for a response rate of 22.4%.