Massachusets Once Again Tries to Ban Online Gambling and Gaming

April 7th, 2008 by admin

No sooner than has the dust settled over Massachusetts Governor’s Casino Bill which contained anti-online gambling provisions, State Rep. David Flynn is promoting another bill to allow slot machines at racetracks, however, this bill AGAIN contains the same anti-online gambling clause as the Governor’s bill. Representative Flynn is “the dean” of Massachusetts Legislature the nickname given to oldest or longest serving House member.

Fortunately, according to our sources inside the Massachusetts legislature, this bill isn’t likely to pass because both the House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi and Governor Patrick are against it. While the governor supported casinos in the state, he thinks slots are a pretty bad idea.

…. Governor Patrick told reporters he thought racetrack slots would not provide adequate benefits to offset negative social impacts. “I have also said that if there is a compromise out there for resort-style casinos and slots at the tracks, then I’m open to that, but we can’t have that debate if this goes down the way it is. So as far as I’m concerned that’s off the table,” Patrick said last week.
Last December, in pitching his casino plan, Patrick had indicated he would veto racetracks slots as part of a casino package. Expanded gambling proponents in the House have repeatedly failed to muster a majority in favor of any proposal and the threat of a gubernatorial veto, which requires a two thirds vote in each branch to override, would loom large in any future consideration of gambling bills.
- CASINO VOTE FALLOUT CONTINUES from March 24, 2008.

The House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi is against increased gambling of any kind, not to mention, this slots bill has been defeated in previous years by a wide margin.

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