HAMDEN, Conn. — Connecticut’s attorney general and the top Massachusetts official pushing a plan for three new casinos in the Bay State will highlight a free-public symposium next week on casino gambling organized by the New England News Forum and Quinnipiac University.

Two films will also be shown.

Just this week, the administration of Gov. Deval Patrick unveiled a study saying Massachusetts could reap millions of dollars and thousands of jobs under his proposal being bitterly contested by key legislators. Most of the economic benefits would come at the expense of Connecticut’s existing two existing betting resorts, the study suggested.

“The Big Gamble: The Costs, Benefits and Coverage of Casinos,” an open-to-the-public symposium on Tues., March 11, at Quinnipiac’s law school in Hamden, Conn., will feature public officials, journalists, researchers and a top industry executive. In two hours of moderated discussion beginning at 7 p.m., they’ll assess the impact and reporting of casino gambling in the region. Click here to register for the event.