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Massachusetts Slowly Getting On With Gambling

Posted on July 30th, 2010

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The people of Massachusetts have for many years rejected casino gambling, a fact that has brought small wonder to many considering that the state was once inhabited by Puritan colonists. The state has kept its conservatism for years that even the selling of liquor on Sundays was allowed only six years ago. Moreover, the idea of casino gambling was snubbed for years in Massachusetts because, according to Scott Harshbarger, a former attorney general, the Bay State “has a lot of other assets and economic engines” that are not present in other states. But times change, and so does the state of the economy. With the onslaught of the economic crisis that spared no person, state or industry, Massachusetts has found itself confronted with billions of dollars in budget shortfalls and an ever-increasing unemployment rate.

Now, the session halls of Beacon Hill resound to the debates of legislators not about whether or not to have gambling, but over what kind of gambling should be allowed in the state. And in those debates, casino proponents have always stressed the new revenue for the state and the jobs that would be generated by casino gambling. The Boston Globe has even changed its opinion on gambling. Three years ago, it announced that its editorial would change its view in support of casinos, but not slot machines at the racetracks. Mr. Steve Crosby, dean of the McCormack Graduate School of Policy Studies at the University of Massachusetts Boston and former adviser to past governors, has also changed his attitude toward casinos, along with many of Massachusetts’ influential state personalities. He said that at first he did not buy the idea of gambling as a way to raise revenue, but in the end, he saw it pointless to argue when state funds became increasingly scarce and casino gambling is present on all sides of the border.

He said the economic recession certainly has caused the fight for tradition and principles to slowly crumble, gradually changing the tide. In the 1990s, William Weld, governor of Massachusetts at that time, started the idea of casinos when he took note of how the Mashantucket Pequot tribe in Connecticut was making a lot of money from gambling at its Foxwoods casino. He proposed for casino boats in Boston Harbour, but was rejected. Since that time, casino proposals have been repeatedly appearing and subsequently killed at the state legislature. Casino opponents have time and again claimed that casinos have no place in a region that is known for its famous universities and biotechnology. Surveys, however, showed that support for casinos has slowly been gaining ground.

Three years ago, Gov. Deval Patrick proposed the putting up of casino resorts in the state, but Salvatore DiMasi who was House Speaker during that time, led a strong opposition to the governor’s proposal and rejected it. Last April, the present House Speaker Robert DeLeo introduced a bill calling for two casino resorts and 750 slot machines at each of the state’s four racetracks. The House approved the bill, 120-37. Many believed that some of the lawmakers were influenced by Deleo who has made it his advocacy to aid the ailing racetracks. His district includes two racetracks and his father once worked there.

However, Gov. Patrick and Senate President Therese Murray are opposed to slots at tracks but favour only casino resorts. The senate then sponsored a separate bill that would allow three casinos in different areas of the state, but no provision for slots at the tracks. The three casinos would collect $225 million in license fees and were estimated to generate $350 million in revenues out of a 25 percent casino tax.

Although this time legislators in both houses support gambling, they still clash over one issue, which is, the addition of slot machines at the tracks. This has caused the negotiations to drag on for weeks. Last Wednesday night, the lawmakers still have not reached a deal, but instead asked the staff to draft a new bill which must be filed by Friday evening and must reach the governor before the deadline on Saturday.

If the gambling bill is passed, Massachusetts would be the 24th state to allow slot machine or casino gambling. As one state after another legalizes casino gambling, resistance from the public has slowly declined. With the sprouting of casinos in many areas, a different kind of opposition is now appearing, one that is coming from the competing gambling interests who are being threatened by fierce competition. Massachusetts would be a lucrative gambling market for casino operators because it is heavily populated and its residents have shown a liking for gambling as proven by their frequent travels across the borders to play at neighbouring casinos.