Massachusetts Senate Gambling Bill Leaves Out Slots At Tracks

The Massachusetts Senate shared their expanded gambling bill with the public this week, and it looks much more like what Governor Duval Patrick had in mind when he pushed for additional gambling. The Senate bill differs from the House bill in the idea that it does not call for slots at state racetracks.

House Speaker Robert DeLeo helped get a bill approved in the House that would have given state racetracks the right to offer slot machines. The bill was largely criticized by Gov. Patrick, and he even went as far as to say he would consider vetoing the legislation if it passed.

The Senate this week sided with the governor, and left the tracks out of the Senate legislation. Another big change to an earlier version of the Senate bill is that one of the three casino resort licenses would no longer be guaranteed to a Massachusetts Indian tribe.

The bill is a long way from passing, with opponents sticking to their guns. The anti-gambling groups claim that the state has not adequately studied the effects that expanded gambling would have on Massachusetts. The opposition also contends that the costs of bringing casino resorts to the state have not been identified.

Proponents of the bills in both the House and the Senate believe that the casino resorts would provide a huge economical boost. They also point to Massachusetts residents that are currently taking their gambling money to neighboring states. The lawmakers want to bring the money back to Massachusetts.

In recent years, Pennsylvania, New York, Connecticut, and Delaware have all expanded their gambling options. Pennsylvania legislators have gone as far as to legalize table games for casinos in the state. In Delaware, sports betting has been legalized.

June 18, 2010
Posted By Terry Goodwin
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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