Thursday, 4:30 PM
Patrick says he has open mind on slot machines
By Stephanie Ebbert, Globe Staff
Governor Deval Patrick left the door open Friday to expanding Massachusetts gambling, saying that he must soon make a decision on the hot-button issue that could generate new funding for the state.
Patrick opposed legalizing slot machines during the primary campaign, but soon after his election, he said he would keep an open mind. When asked on a WBUR-FM call-in program whether he would support legalizing slot machines, he said he has struggled with the subject, and he wants to spend more time with gambling proponents to hear their point of view.
"I want to hear the arguments on both sides and I do appreciate that there's a revenue source there that in the view of many, we are leaving on the table when we can scarcely afford to do so," Patrick said. "So I have to take this seriously and I know I have to come to rest on it soon because we've got a budget we are dealing with -- and that is frankly one of the options that I or any other governor would have to consider."
