Massachusetts Gambling Bill Signed Into Law

Governor Deval Patrick signed a bill into law today that will expand casino gambling in Massachusetts, allowing the state to make a strong entry into the crowded Northeastern US gambling market.

Patrick and other supporters of the bill hope that opening new facilities – in this case, three full casinos and a slots parlor – will generate new jobs for the state, as well as significant cash revenue.

“Expanded gaming in Massachusetts, for me, is about creating jobs,” Patrick said. “I am pleased to sign this bill today and proud of the work my team and the Legislature has done to bring it to this point.”

This bill wasn’t the first attempt by Patrick and other casino supporters to allow casino gambling in Massachusetts. In 2008, such a plan was rejected by the state legislature. However, the current House Speaker – Robert DeLeo – is a supporter of casino gambling, which helped allow the bill to pass.

This version of the bill allows one casino to be built in each of three different regions in the state. One casino would be allowed in the area between Boston and Worcester; another would be located in the southeastern area of the state, including Cape Cod and the South Shore. Finally, the third region comprises most of Western Massachusetts. In addition, a single slots-only casino would be allowed to be built anywhere in the state.

Supporters see these resort casinos and the slots parlor as significant revenue streams for the state. Each casino would be taxed at 25% of gambling revenue, while the slots-only facility would pay 49% of revenues to the state.

However, opponents to the expansion of gambling aren’t just worried about social ills – they also reject some of the projections made as to the amount of money that these facilities might add to the state’s coffers. As the state currently has a very successful lottery program, some fear that casinos may simply compete against the lottery itself, meaning that very little new money will actually be coming into the state.