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March 8, 2010

North Shore reps open to casino gambling

By Matthew K. Roy

North Shore lawmakers are receptive to House Speaker Robert DeLeo's proposal to build two casinos in Massachusetts and add slot machines at the state's four racetracks.

State Rep. John Keenan, D-Salem, said the expansion of gambling would generate revenue for the state and create jobs for its residents.

"It could be a good economic boost," Keenan said, "especially in this recession that just isn't going away."

The chairman of the Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development, Keenan said he would like to see some of the money the state receives go toward regional tourism councils to help them market Massachusetts destinations and attractions.

State Rep. Ted Speliotis, D-Danvers, supports the concept first voiced by DeLeo during a speech Thursday at the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce. Its success, he said, will be determined by whatever financial deal the state strikes with casino owners.

"How we make that arrangement will be the judge of whether we do a good job," he said. "We have to ensure that what comes back to the commonwealth in revenue is appropriate and we're not just making a few people wealthy."

Meanwhile, expanded gaming as a concept has been widely embraced, according to Speliotis.

"Go into any senior center and you know that the debate is over," he said. "The stigma is pretty much gone."

But state Rep. Mary Grant, a Beverly Democrat, still has reservations. She does not like the social costs, primarily addiction, attached to gambling and the increased demands it puts on public safety departments, especially the police. Grant is also wary of the effect the casinos and slots would have on the state's Lottery, a key revenue source for municipalities.

"We can't put ourselves in the position where less revenue is available for cities and towns," she said.

Grant, however, said she still has an open mind.

"I don't love doing this for economic development," she said, "but I'm willing to consider the proposal depending on what it looks like."

Responding to DeLeo, Gov. Deval Patrick said he is against adding slots at racetracks, including Suffolk Downs, because they create few jobs and could possibly hinder investment in destination casinos.

State Rep. Joyce Spiliotis, D-Peabody, said she would back slots but expressed doubt that two casinos were feasible.

"I just don't know if, in this economy, we can sustain two casinos at this point," she said.

Slots would be a way to quickly raise money for the state, Keenan said. It could take six to 12 months to implement, with the state getting an agreed upon percentage of the net money made in a year.

The location of the casinos is still to be decided. Boston, the town of Palmer in the Springfield area and the New Bedford area are being mentioned as possibilities. Speliotis and Keenan said Suffolk Downs should be in the running because of its proximity to Boston and Logan Airport.

Spiliotis said she would not support a casino at Suffolk Downs because of the traffic it would add and the headaches it would cause North Shore residents attempting to commute to the airport.

His bill will propose using a portion of anticipated licensing fees to support existing manufacturers and lure new ones to Massachusetts, DeLeo said. He also promised to earmark some revenue for addiction-treatment programs.

"It's going to impact a certain percentage of people," Keenan said of the inevitable social costs. "We have to be aware of that upfront and address it upfront."

Reps. Lori Ehrlich, D-Marblehead, and Brad Hill, R-Ipswich, could not be reached for comment.

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North Shore reps open to casino gambling
by By Matthew K. Roy , , Mon Mar 08, 2010, 09:47 AM EST
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