Senate Leader In Massachusetts Makes A Pitch For Casino Gambling

Governor Duval Patrick may have not succeeded in his first attempt to bring casinos to Massachusetts after he won election into office. What he did do, however, was set the precedent that the issue would be discussed further in the future.

Now, it appears that as early as the fall, Duval might have his vision realized. State Senate President Therese Murray acknowledged as much on Wednesday morning when she spoke to reporters about the possibility of casinos in the state.

"We need the revenue," said Murray while speaking at a Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce breakfast at the Park Plaza Hotel, "To see that over $900 million leaves the state every year to Connecticut and Rhode Island, even if we could pick up $700 million, we would all take that."

Murray believes that when legislators meet again this Fall, that the gambling issue will be at the top of the priority list. She also believes that at that time, legislators could come to an agreement and write a Bill to legalize casinos in Massachusetts.

Former House Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi was strongly against expanded gambling and blocked several attempts to have casino Bills be discussed. New Speaker Robert A. DeLeo supports expanded gambling and is willing to work to see that casinos become a reality in the state.

Governor Patrick ran his campaign on the premise of bringing casino gambling to Massachusetts. It was a major contributing factor to his winning his way into office.

April 15, 2009
Posted By April Gardner
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
Submit News!