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Massachusetts Casino Bill Delay May Prove Costly
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS --
Supporters of the Massachusetts bill allowing casino gambling in the state say the impasse between the governor and lawmakers may end up costing the state much-needed revenue streams. Gaming experts argue that if the measure dies, tribal casino interests may block licensing of future resort casinos.
Both houses of the state legislature and Governor Deval Patrick are agreed that three destination casinos should be created. However, in crafting a compromise bill, Senate representatives accepted House demands that at least two racinos be included in the bill, something Patrick says is a deal-breaker.
House Speaker Robert DeLeo comes from the district containing Suffolk Downs, and has said repeatedly he will not approve a gambling bill that does not include the race track in expansion plans. But Patrick says DeLeo is caving to special interests, and that any award of casino licenses without a proper bidding process is unacceptable.
Meanwhile, as the bill looks more and more unlikely to advance to a public vote on this year's ballot, the Mashpee Wampanoags are awaiting a federal decision on an application to place land into trust, freeing it to host gambling. Negotiations with the tribe may force the state to grant some exclusivity, which may prevent the state from future options to create the casinos.
There is no announced timetable for the ruling by the US Department of the Interior, but allowing the gambling bill to die means more than a year before residents will get another chance to decide on a casino constitutional amendment, leaving a wide window of opportunity for tribal gaming interests.
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