Massachusetts Gambling Debate Ready To Begin Again On Monday

The road to casino resort gambling in Massachusetts has been paved with speed bumps, and this past week was more of the same in the Senate. Legislators grappled over the technicalities involved in creating the law, placing their own political interests in front of the good of the state.

By now, it has become apparent that casino gambling is in the future of Massachusetts. Residents are pushing for casino resorts, and Governor Duval Patrick has been pushing his pro-gambling agenda since before he won the right to serve as governor.

This past week, Republican Senator Richard Tisei outwardly acknowledged that he would like to use the casino debate as a way to move forward with his political agenda. Tisei wants votes on the elimination of alcohol sales tax, a decrease in state sales tax, and a vote on property relief tax.

Democratic leaders have been pushing a plan that would authorize three casino resorts in Massachusetts. The plan is backed by Governor Patrick, and is different than the bill that was passed in the House. The House wants slot machines at state racetracks as well as adding the casino resorts.

Whatever the final verdict is for the casino plan, it must come soon. Neighboring states are expanding gambling at an alarming rate, and if Massachusetts is slow to move on the issue, it could lose out on millions of dollars in revenue. Already, Massachusetts residents are traveling out of state to do their gambling.

The Northeast has become a hotbed for casino gambling in recent years. Delaware has added not only table games at their casinos, but also sports betting. Pennsylvania lawmakers legalized table games earlier this year, and the casinos will unveil those games in the next couple of weeks.

June 27, 2010
Posted By Terry Goodwin
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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