Group studies Mass. casino proposal

BOSTON—A new study found that building three casinos in Massachusetts would allow the state to recapture up to $700 million of the $1.1 billion Massachusetts residents already gamble in Connecticut and Rhode Island.

But the study also said the casinos would create only about 15,000 permanent jobs, fewer than the 20,000 projected by Gov. Deval Patrick.  And it said the casinos would generate 9,000 construction jobs, far fewer than the 30,000 once projected by the governor.

The study by the Spectrum Gaming Group was conducted for the Patrick administration.

The Legislature killed Patrick’s plan earlier this year, but the governor has spoken about reviving it. The governor has argued the three casinos would generate $600 million in licensing fees and $400 million in annual tax revenues.

The report doesn’t estimate licensing fees, but it said tax revenues might be as high as $600 million.