b'LETTER FROM 2020 IMPACT REPORTTHE CHAIRThe Massachusetts Legislature legalized casino gaming in 2011 to produce broad-based economic development, including jobs and revenuebut not at any cost. A key feature of the gaming law established a first-of-its-kind research plan to comprehensively assess the social and economic impacts of casino gambling in Massachusetts. A data-driven understanding of casino impacts provides the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) with the ability to design evidence-based programming, particularly in the area of responsible gaming andproblem gambling.A baseline study concluded that, in Massachusetts, approximately 2% (110,000) of the adult population meet the criteria for problem gambling, and another 8.4% (440,000) experience harm to a lesser degree. In response to these findings, the MGC launched GameSense,an innovative, player-focused responsible gaming program that encourages players to adopt positive play behaviors and attitudes that promote safe levels of play and reduce the risk of gambling-related harm. It is also worth noting that Massachusetts is the only gaming jurisdictionin the country to require such responsible gaming resources (GameSense Info Centers and GameSense Advisors) at each casino property.As the commonwealths casino industry continues to grow andmature, the MGC, in partnership with our many stakeholders, looks forward to continued research-driven innovation to meet the needsof Massachusetts diverse casino patrons.Cathy Judd-SteinMassachusetts Gaming Chair1'