September 28, 2011 Dear Governor Patrick, President Murray and Speaker DeLeo: Re: Casino Gaming Bill

Today, I am writing to you to ask for your continued leadership and support in enacting into law this important fiscal and economic legislation. As you are well aware, Massachusetts residents represent the single largest group of patrons at New Englands resort casinos and slot parlors. Our citizens spend upwards of $1 billion annually at Connecticuts resort casinos and slot parlors in Rhode Island and Maine and, since 1992, have spent more than $12 billion at New Englands casinos and slot parlors, generating more than $4 billion in tax revenues, primarily to Connecticut and Rhode Island state governments. Massachusetts residents represent 37% of all spending and taxes generated at the regions resort casinos and slot parlors, and are directly responsible for the creation of more than 7,000 of the 20,000 jobs Connecticuts casinos and Rhode Island and Maines slot parlors. Three destination resort casinos and one slot parlor in our Commonwealth will generate more than $400 million in new annual tax revenues, create thousands of construction jobs and permanent casino and slot parlor jobs. These world-class gaming and entertainment venues will also grow our states tourism, hospitality and convention and meeting sectors, and generate more than $500 million annually in spending by the casinos and slot parlor among Massachusetts businesses for the goods and services necessary to furnish and operate these world-class gaming and entertainment venues. Massachusetts desperately needs the new revenues and new jobs that expanded gaming will bring to our state, and our cities and towns, struggling with cuts in state aid, will also benefit from an increase in local aid necessary to fund critical programs and services. We thank you, again, for your vision, leadership and efforts in moving forward this important fiscal and economic legislation, legislation that, when enacted into law, will once again ensure a more competitive Massachusetts that will benefit all the citizens of our Commonwealth. Sincerely,

William A. Flanagan Mayor