Sep 13, 2007 4:30 pm US/Eastern
Sources: Patrick In Favor Of Casino Gambling
by Joe Shortsleeve
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
Gov. Deval Patrick has decided he wants expanded gambling in the state of Massachusetts, though he is not expected to make the long-awaited announcement until next week.
While the Patrick administration has recently denied that the governor has made up his mind, according to WBZ sources, Patrick will make the announcement that he is in favor of gambling in the Bay State as early as next Monday or Tuesday.
But that doesn't mean casino gambling will happen overnight. His casino legislation will have to be passed by both houses on Beacon Hill.
While the senate, and in particular the senate president, is probably in favor of the idea, the house has voted against gambling in the past and the house speaker, Sal Dimasi, has not said which way he will go this time around.
However, Dimasi has softened his tone in recent months when asked about his feelings on the topic.
Members of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe have been meeting this week with the Bureau of Indian Affairs here in New England to talk about their plans for a $1 billion casino in Middleboro.
It is unknown at this time how many casinos will be part of the plan.
But logic says there has to be a minimum of three since there are two federally recognized Indian tribes in Massachusetts.
It has been suggested all along that a private developer should also be part of the mix.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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