With legal gambling in Massachusetts about to change with the arrival of casinos in a few years, a new survey released Thursday examined current gambling behavior.
A problem gambler in Massachusetts is likely to be a male between 25 and 49 years old, with no more than a high school education, who also has addictions to drugs and alcohol, according to the on-line survey done by the Massachusetts Council on Compulsive Gambling. Spokesperson Margot Cahoon said while problem gamblers buy lottery tickets and play Keno , they also gamble illegally at fraternal organizations and do sports betting.
The survey did not attempt to quantify problem gambling. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has contracted with UMass Amherst for a $3.6 million comprehensive study of gambling in the state.
