Sep 17, 2007 5:43 pm US/Eastern
Gov. Patrick Proposes Three-Casino Plan
BOSTON (AP) ―
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Patrick said the casinos would generate more than $2 billion annually and create "good jobs at good wages."
WBZ
Gov. Deval Patrick proposed licensing three full-scale casinos in Massachusetts on Monday, in a move he said would generate billions of dollars in revenue and thousands of jobs.
Under the plan, the casinos would be distributed in the western, southeastern and greater metropolitan Boston regions of the state. The licenses would be put up for bid in a competitive process open to Indian tribes and casino companies.
The Legislature must approve expanding legalized gambling beyond the state lottery and four racetracks.
Patrick said the casinos would generate more than $2 billion annually and create "good jobs at good wages."
"With that kind of economic benefit, we cannot reject the gaming industry out of hand," he said.
Click here to read the governor's plan. The governor said developing casino gambling in the state was part of his overall plan to advance initiatives that provide long-term sustainable growth for Massachusetts.
"Destination resort casinos can serve a useful role in our overall economic plan," he said.
Patrick is under pressure to find new revenues. He has proposed big ticket items including a $1 billion, 10-year 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 already are 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.
House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi has opposed an expansion of gambling in the past. But in the weeks leading up to Patrick's announcement, the Boston Democrat said he would keep an open mind.
Patrick's plan follows a proposal by the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe to build a $1 billion casino on land it owns in Middleborough. The tribe could either try to outbid others for one of the licenses proposed by Patrick, or continue along a more lengthy track to win federal approval that could result in a fourth casino in the state.
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.
(© 2007 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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