Gambling Bill Moves Closer to Approval [Poll]

A vote to approve three resort-style casinos and one slot parlor in Massachusetts could be passed as early as Wednesday, according to Boston.com

According to the article, the bill passed the Senate, 23 to 14, on a preliminary vote and the House by a vote of 118 to 33.

If the bill becomes law, it could still take several years before any casino opens its doors in the state, Boston.com said.

According to the article, bids for the casino licenses would start at $85 million. Bids for the slots parlor license would start at $25 million.

Rep. Jason Lewis, D-Winchester,

"I believe that on balance the benefits to Massachusetts will outweigh the costs," Lewis said. "This is not a decision I took lightly, and I recognize that the costs will include an increase in gambling addiction and the serious social problems that accompany this illness."

According to Lewis, with state unemployment still over 7 percent, the House needs to capitlize on every opportunity to put residents back to work.

"No other economic development opportunity offers this kind of private investment potential at a time when the capacity for investment of public taxpayer dollars is extremely limited," Lewis has said.

Boston.com said that the share of casino tax revenue devoted to local aid dropped from 25 percent when the bill was released in September to 20 percent in the version approved yesterday.

Wincehster State Senator – Pat Jehlen (D-Somerville) – has held to introducing

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,” said Jehlen who has supported infrastructure projects to create jobs, like the green line extension. “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.

The locations for the casinos have not yet been decided.

So, what do you think? Let us know your thoughts by either voting in our poll or posting a comment.