STATE OF CONNECTICUT

                        DIVISION OF SPECIAL REVENUE

       P.O.  BOX  310424

 NEWINGTON,   CONNECTICUT  06131-0424

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                Contact:  Division of

June 26, 2009                                                                Special Revenue

                                                                                        (860-594-0501)

Paul A. Young, Executive Director of the Connecticut Division of Special Revenue, announced today that the study of the effects of legalized gambling on the citizens of this State, begun in the spring of 2008, has been completed.

Conducted by the Spectrum Gaming Group of Linwood, New Jersey, and titled "Gambling in Connecticut: Analyzing the Economic and Social Impacts," the study was authorized by the General Assembly in 2007. Following development of a Request for Proposals by Special Revenue, a contract was awarded to Spectrum in April 2008. State law requires that such a study be conducted to determine the types of gambling activity engaged in by the public and the desirability of expanding, maintaining, or reducing the amount of legalized gambling in the state. The last Connecticut gaming-impact study was completed in June 1997.

Said Young, "The scope we developed for the study was very comprehensive and a lot of work has been done. Among many other things, the study focuses on the overall impact of gambling, positive and negative, the impact of the two tribal casinos on eastern Connecticut, and the incidence of chronic gambling."

The study report, in excess of 400 pages, is being submitted to the Governor, legislative leaders, and the Joint Standing Committee on Public Safety and Security, with cognizance of legalized gambling. The study is available on Special Revenue’s website.