Patrick pushes trifecta of Mass. casino proposals

Ken Maguire

Gov. Deval Patrick proposed licensing three full-scale casinos in Massachusetts on Monday, a move he said would generate billions of dollars for the state and thousands of jobs.

The casinos would go in the state’s western, southeastern and Boston regions, and Patrick said they would generate more than $2 billion annually in economic activity.

“With that kind of economic benefit, we cannot reject the gaming industry out of hand,” the Democratic governor said.

The casinos would also generate $400 to $450 million in annual tax revenue that Patrick said he would spend on transportation upgrades and property tax relief.

Getting the casinos, however, will take the state Legislature’s approval, and support there is mixed. House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi said Monday he was not persuaded by Patrick’s plan.

“So far, our concerns for ushering in casino gambling have not been eased,” DiMasi said in a statement. “We in the House remain skeptical. But we will hear the governor out and we will be asking the governor to explain the rationale behind his conclusions.

Senate President Therese Murray has said she supported expanded gambling.

Massachusetts already has some legalized gambling in the form of a state lottery and four racetracks. If casinos are approved, the licenses would be put up for bid in a competitive process open to both Indian tribes and casino companies.

The governor said developing casino gambling in the state was part of his overall plan for long-term sustainable growth in the state. Patrick is under pressure to find new revenue. He has proposed a $1 billion life science project that would include the world’s largest stem cell bank and a $1.4 billion commuter rail line from Boston to Fall River and New Bedford.

The state also is looking for extra money to close an estimated $15 to $19 billion gap in transportation spending over the next 20 years.

Gambling opponents are already mobilizing against the plan, arguing the casinos won’t be the cash cow Patrick hopes and will end up costing the state money — primarily lottery revenues — while destroying its character.

Consumers spent $32 billion in commercial casinos in 11 states last year — more than consumer spending on specialty coffee and books combined, according to the American Gaming Association.

(Associated Press)