Winchester Senator Opposes Gaming Bill

After last week’s , the debate will move to the Senate floor on Monday, Sept. 26. But Winchester’s State Senator – Pat Jehlen (D-Somerville) – will continue to introducing gaming to the state as the bill's supporters contend gambling will funnel jobs and revenue into Massachusetts.

The bill, which would bring three resort-style casinos and one slot parlor to Massachusetts, overwhelmingly passed through the House last Wednesday with a vote of 123-32.

“I voted against it last time and I don’t foresee myself changing my vote,” Jehlen said. "Not much has changed. The one thing that has changed is the economic benefits will be much less.”

According to Jehlen, expanded casinos in Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Connecticut and New York would cause Massachusetts’ casinos to bring in less money than originally thought.

Jehlen said that the impact on the community would not be worth the extra income.

“I know better ways to create jobs; casinos are very risky,” Jehlen said. “It would be bad for community businesses, public safety. There will be problems with bankruptcy and embezzlement. But I would be really concerned about area businesses; they can’t compete.”

According to Jehlen, casinos would be able to offer free drinks all night, and that would take business away from local restaurants and bars. The closest possible gaming site to Winchester would be in Revere at Suffolk Downs.

“Laws don’t apply in casinos,” Jehlen said. “It’s not fair to the rest of the businesses. They can offer free drinks, they have liquor licenses that go on all night. If you would be able to gamble a little and get free drinks at Suffolk Downs why would you go to the ?”

While Jehlen agrees that casinos would create construction jobs, she thinks that focusing on improving transportation would also create jobs. The green line extension and work on the commuter rail would create jobs, according to Jehlen.

“There are lots of things you can do to create jobs,” Jehlen said. “But casinos would cannibalize local businesses.”

According to the Worchester Regional Research Bureau, casinos won’t necessarily bring more money into Massachusetts.

“With a local restaurant the money stays here,” Jehlen said. “But with casino restaurants, the money goes to the investor and they’re typically oversees or out-of-state.”

There are better ways to create jobs, according to Jehlen.

“The state that has the highest unemployment is Nevada (13.4 percent),” Jehlen said. “There are better ways to create jobs and stimulate the economy. The green line extension wouldn’t just create construction jobs, but it would open up economic development throughout that area.”