November Election Could Change Casino Gambling In Massachusetts

The Governor of Massachusetts has been pushing since he was elected into office to bring casino gambling in the form of three casinos to Massachusetts. Lawmakers in the state, however, do not have the same vision as Governor Duval Patrick.

Last week the Spectrum Gaming Group released their study on the impact that casino gambling could have on the state. Despite the revelation that the three casinos could bring up to $596 million a year, lawmakers still are balking.

Luckily for Patrick, there are many of those current lawmakers who will no longer be working in their current capacities. The election could change the balance of power on the issue.

The current lawmakers have already voted down a proposal by Patrick to allow for three new casino licenses in the state. The vote, however, did not deter Patrick from pursuing the idea.

He believes, and now the report has concluded, that millions could be generated in revenue. That would relieve some of the financial stress that the state is currently dealing with. It is clear that the current administration wants no part of casino gambling.

"We spent a lot of time on it this past session and it got thoroughly aired and thoroughly discussed and every number was weighed and bandied about and reconsidered. I don't see it coming around next year," said Eric Turkington, the House Chairman of the Tourism, Arts, and Cultural Development Committee.

Indeed he is correct that the current group will not reexamine the issue, but a new regime he cannot speak for.

August 10, 2008
Posted By Larry Rutherford
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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