Jul 25, 2007 11:35 pm US/Eastern
Gov. Patrick Reviewing Report On Casino Gambling
by Joe Shortsleeve
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
As the Wampanoags push ahead with plans to build a world class casino resort in Middleboro, WBZ has learned Governor Patrick is reviewing a special report on the pros and cons of legalized gambling.
"It's a briefing book of materials that looks at all sides of the issue," said Secretary of Economic Development Dan O'Connell, who briefed Governor Patrick late Wednesday.
"The other issue is that there are a lot of Massachusetts residents going out of state to Connecticut, to casinos there," O'Connell said.
Might we recapture some of that business? "Maybe but I am not sure of that as well," answered O' Connell.
The governor will use this report to back up his decision.
Bay State gaming could mean hundreds of millions of dollars for state coffers.
WBZ has learned some of the probable findings include a licensing process to control the industry, beyond just the Wampanoags.
We are also told that allowing casinos will likely open the doors to slot machines at race tracks in the state. Slots at the tracks would give the controversial issue broader support.
"I have had a sit down with the governor, not long ago, to personally adovcated for it, so I am hopeful that will happen," said Rep. Betty Poirier (R - North Attleboro).
Now if the governor decides he is in favor of casino gambling and many people believe that is exactly what he will do, the next step would be to craft legislation. In order to do that, he would have to go through the Senate and then the House of Representatives.
Rep. Dan Bosley (D - North Adams) opposes casino gambling and the last time he checked, so did the House.
"It's like the first round of a title fight and they are throwing a flurry of punches. This doesn't mean the fight is over, it just means the other has not started to fight back," said Rep. Bosley.
However, the governor does not need House and Senate approval to give the nod to Indian casino gambling.
But if he decides to support gambling, we are told he will go through the legislature because he feels it's the right thing to do and because the legislation, which has not yet been crafted, would allow for broader legalized gambling.
As for a timetable, we are told Gov. Patrick will take one to two weeks to make a decision.
If he approves the casino, then legislation needs to be drawn up.
After that is where it gets dicey.
Rep. Bosley said it could be ten years before a casino opens its doors.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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