Summary:

The Social and Economic Impacts of Gambling in Massachusetts (SEIGMA) research team at UMass Amherst has released a report on the first major adult cohort study of gambling conducted in the United States—the Massachusetts Gambling Impact Cohort (MAGIC). By surveying the same individuals over time, cohort studies provide information on how gambling and problem gambling develops, progresses, and remits. The goals of the MAGIC study are to 1) uncover and understand populations in Massachusetts who are at a higher risk of experiencing gambling harm and problem gambling and 2) inform the development of effective and efficient prevention and treatment programming in the Commonwealth.

This report specifically looks at the changes in the gambling behaviors of 3,139 Massachusetts adults from 2013/2014 (Wave 1), 2015 (Wave 2), and 2016 (Wave 3)—prior to MGM Springfield and Encore Boston Harbor opening, but after Plainridge Park Casino opened in 2015.