Expanded Gambling Opponents In Massachusetts Meet With Governor

Governor Duval Patrick has been the driving force behind the casino gambling expansion talk that is taking place by lawmakers in Massachusetts. That does not mean, however, that Patrick will force casinos on Mass. residents without them having a say.

This week, Patrick met with anti-gambling representatives for about an hour in his office. The outcome of that meeting is that Patrick may give the anti-gambling groups what they want, more in depth analysis of the effects gambling will have in the state.

"I think the points that were made when we met about refreshing the analysis of both the economic cost benefit and also the human impact are very well taken," said Patrick, to reporters, "I have commended that idea forward to the Speaker and the Senate President."

The Speaker of the House is Robert DeLeo, and the Senate President is Therese Murray. The two respective leaders have both come out in recent months in favor of expanded gambling to help with budget shortcomings in Massachusetts.

The former speaker, Salvatore DiMasi, was a major hindrance to any additional gambling legislation being passed. Once DiMasi was removed from office, however, for unethical offenses, Patrick then had a person in DeLeo that supported the governor's pro-gambling expansion stance.

One of the main reasons that Patrick is the governor of Massachusetts is because of his pro-gambling stance. He relied heavily on the issue when he ran for office, and voters in Massachusetts responded to his stance by voting him in.

December 11, 2009
Posted By April Gardner
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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