Legislation to allow casino gambling in the state, including one site in Hampden County, has been proposed by a state Senate leader and other legislators.
Whether the bill, which has the backing of two Western Massachusetts senators, has any chance of success this year is uncertain.
It is being backed by the AFL-CIO labor union and Connecticut's Mohegan Sun Resort Casino, which is eyeing a casino in Palmer.
Gov. Deval L. Patrick told the editorial board of The Republican on Jan. 9 that he had made no final decision on whether to file a new bill to legalize casinos. "We're talking that through now with the legislative leadership," Patrick said. "There's no point in filing anything."
Patrick refused to comment on whether he would submit a casino bill, while casino-opponent House Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi, D-Boston, is still speaker. DiMasi led the way when the state House of Representatives overwhelmingly defeated the governor's bill in March. However, DiMasi recently said he would be willing to listen to a casino proposal.
The latest legislation was filed by state Sen. Joan Menard, D-Fall River, who is the Senate majority whip, and co-sponsored by several other legislators. As proposed, it calls for licensing two resort casinos, one in Fall River's Bristol County and one in Hampden County, as well as authorizing slot machines at the state's four race tracks.
In a press release, Menard said she is undeterred by last year's defeat of Patrick's casino bill. "The fact remains many of our residents enjoy gaming and continue to head out of state to do so," Menard said. She cited a University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth study that determined Massachusetts residents spend millions of dollars on gambling in Connecticut each year.
In Western Massachusetts, state Sens. Michael R. Knapik, R-Westfield, and Stephen J. Buoniconti, D-West Springfield, and state Rep. Rosemary Sandlin, D-Agawam, said the economy means casinos must be considered. "I think we need to look at every option for revenue," Sandlin said.
"We should be looking to get as much money as we can short of taxation," Buoniconti said. "The dismal economy gives casinos a better chance to pass."
One week ago, the 11 casinos in Atlantic City, N.J., reported a record-breaking drop in revenue, marking the second straight year of decline. During those two years, the casinos have eliminated 3,330 jobs.
Earlier this week, the Mohegan Sun casino, in Uncasville, Conn., announced it is cutting the pay of all 9,800 employees to reduce costs in a deteriorating economy in hopes it can avoid layoffs. The Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority announced Sunday that it will cut pay for vice presidents and senior management by 10 percent, middle managers' pay by 7.5 percent and the pay for nonmanagement salaried and hourly employees by 4 percent. The cuts will take effect Feb. 1.
In October, Foxwoods Resort Casino, Ledyard, Conn., laid off 6 percent of its work force, or about 700 workers, over the course of two weeks. The Mashantucket Pequot tribe, which operates Foxwoods, said the layoffs were across the board, affecting both hourly and management workers.
Knapik, who said he has "supported casino gambling forever," is uncertain about whether the bill can pass but the economy will be a factor. "The state has never been more desperate for revenue," he said.
In Palmer, the Mohegan Resorts Mass. LLC, in October signed a 99-year lease with Northeast Realty Associates LLC for 152 acres across from the Massachusetts Turnpike exit.
Leon H. Dragone, president of Northeast Realty, is optimistic the bill will move forward. "We have always believed this would be decided on the economy. (This bill) is likely to get a good reception in Boston," Dragone said.
Lynn R. Malerba, vice chairwoman of the Mohegan Tribe, said because of the length of time it would take for licensing and permitting if a casino were approved, the economic situation would not affect plans for Palmer. "We have a quality product here in Connecticut, and we think we could bring an exciting product to the state of Massachusetts," Malebra said.
State Rep. Todd M. Smola, R-Palmer, believes the legislation has less chance of passing without Patrick's backing. "If I had to make a prediction, I would say casino gambling is not on the horizon," Smola said.
Smola, who voted against Patrick's bill last year, said he will only consider supporting casinos if "someone can answer all the questions I have about casinos. And nobody has been able to do that yet. The devil is in the details."
State Sen. Stephen M. Brewer, D-Barre, said he is not "morally or philosophically" opposed to gambling, but for him to support a casino bill it would need "a boatload of recommendations" with respect to the burden host communities have with respect to traffic, the environment, trash disposal and other issues. Still, the economy will be a factor. "The shock and awe of fiscal year 2010 is going to cause everyone to rethink sources of revenue," Brewer said.
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