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Massachusetts Once Again Facing Gambling Bill Deadline
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS --
Massachusetts legislators are scrambling to see if a bill allowing expanded gambling can be passed before the legislative session ends next week. After both state House Speaker Robert DeLeo and Senate President Therese Murray promised constituents that casino gambling would be passed this year, arguments over the scope and style of the gaming bill have made it unlikely a bill will pass.
Senator Stanley Rosenberg released a statement saying the panel trying to craft a compromise solution may not be able to negotiate a final gambling bill before the legislative deadline. The panel is working to reconcile the differences between the House package and the Senate measure.
Rosenberg said he is working relentlessly to figure a compromise, so that gaming regulation covering casino games will be in place in case federal authorities grant Native Americans rights to tribal gaming in the state.
While both bills support the creation of resort casinos, the House bill would allow the state's four racetracks to install slots, while the Senate bill forbids racino slots. DeLeo's district includes Suffolk Downs, and the powerful Speaker has said racing slots must be a part of any package.
Meanwhile, anti-gambling foes gloat, thinking that, as in Texas, the majority of residents will support expanded gambling but inability to agree on the form will prevent the passage of a new law.
Evelyn Reilly, director of public policy for the Massachusetts Family Institute, an anti-gambling group, gleefully told the Boston Globe of the prospects of thwarting the public will on gambling, "Let us just say that we are watching and cautiously hoping."
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