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SPRINGFIELD — Michael Mathis and Alan Cabot sat just a few feet apart during a debate at the CBS 3 studio in downtown Springfield on Wednesday, but they were miles apart on their view on the future of casino gambling in Springfield and Massachusetts.

Mathis, president of MGM Springfield, urged voters throughout the hour-long debate to vote “No” on Question 3 on next Tuesday’s election ballot, to reject a repeal of the casino law in Massachusetts and allow the Springfield casino plans to proceed.

Cabot, coordinator of the Western Massachusetts Repeal the Casino Deal effort, urged residents to vote “Yes” on Question 3, to repeal the state gaming law, and prohibit casinos.

The debate was the latest in a series of roundtable discussions and debates sponsored by MassLive, The Republican, CBS 3 Springfield, and New England Public Radio.

The Republican's political reporter, Robert Rizzuto, served as moderator of the debate, part of the 2014 Campaign Roundtable Series.

Mathis said the creation of jobs and economic development are key reasons to vote “No” on the repeal of casinos.

“The reason to support a ‘No’ on 3 is because Springfield has the opportunity to return to its glory, and not just because of us, but because of the catalytic impact that we are going to have,” Mathis said. “Three thousand jobs are important jobs and we have various entry level positions."

In addition, Mathis said the Springfield project will bring $800 million in construction work for Massachusetts families and $50 million annually spent on local vendors and suppliers.

“We have seen what 25 years of a ‘no casino’ can do,” Mathis said.

Cabot said the casino will create jobs, but “many, many more jobs” will be lost.

“A few individuals will get rich,” Cabot said in urging voters to repeal the state gaming law. “Right now the sharks are circling, and they are trying to divide up the money that is out there between the casinos. This has nothing to do with bringing anything back to Massachusetts. This is everything to do with putting money in the corporate bank accounts of the very few individuals – those who may be selling real estate and a few leaders who are going to share in the profits one way or the other.”

Cabot said he and other proponents of the repeal have great concerns the casino will lead to serious problems with addictive gambling, with the millions of dollars lost by gamblers leading to bankruptcies and other issues.

Mathis said that funds and policies are set aside in the state law to confront addictive gambling.

Both Cabot and Mathis strongly disagreed on the magnitude of addictive gambling that would occur if the Springfield casino was built.

While Mathis said that 1 to 3 percent of the gamblers could be deemed to have addiction problems, Cabot said that studies show that more than 50 percent of casino revenue comes from addictive gamblers.

"If not for addiction, casino gambling wouldn't be in business," Cabot said, adding that the mantra of the casino industry is to "attract, capture and induce to return."

Mathis said Cabot’s figure of more than 50 percent was “ridiculous.”, adding that the casino model in Springfield, as in Las Vegas, is to offer far more venues including shopping, dining, and entertainment.

In response to another debate question, Mathis said that the median base salary of employees hired by MGM would be between $30,000 to $35,000.

Cabot said he would not dispute the figure, but said jobs would be lost in the region whether it be employees in a hardware store or a restaurant.

“The money doesn’t fall from the sky,” Cabot said. “Mike is expecting $450 million of gambling losses a year to fall into Springfield. That comes out of our pockets, the Greater Pioneer Valley. We would be cutting our own economic throat.”

Mathis said that one-third of the customers to MGM Springfield would be coming from Connecticut, rather than the trend of Massachusetts gamblers going to that state and spending money there.

He also objected to a comment from Cabot that the casino does not create a product or service, saying it would be like saying the Six Flags does not produce or provide a service. It provides entertainment, and two-thirds of the jobs will be non-casino jobs such as hotel workers, retail workers, and bowling alley, movie theater employees.

While Cabot said that the casino would hurt cultural attractions from elsewhere in the region, by taking away those spending dollars, Mathis disagreed and said the casino would help bring more business to attractions such as the MassMutual Center and Symphony Hall.

Cabot said he objected to MGM taking steps such a job fairs so far in advance of a casino and actual jobs, and then having unemployed workers leaving with lawn signs and bumper stickers.

Mathis said the job fairs have been successful and help residents to plan for advance education and training for future jobs.

Mathis said the proposed casino in Springfield, as in Las Vegas, is to promote more than the casino, such as numerous retail stores and restaurants, and entertainment such as a movies and bowling. There will also be market rate apartments.

Cabot and Mathis also sharply disagreed when Cabot raised concerns there could be repercussions from casinos such as increased drunk driving and fatalities.

MassLive will post video of the complete Cabot-Mathis debate in three segments later this week