Casino backers keep ball rolling

Opponents and supporters of a local casino were outsideMiddleborough High School during a hearing Tuesday. (Jim Davis/Globe Staff)

Governor Deval Patrick's plan for expanded gaming in Massachusetts suffered a quick demise in the House, but south of the State House the procasino forces in the town of Middleborough are delighted.

Local and regional officials in Southeastern Massachusetts and a leading gambling specialist predict it is only a matter of time before gambling gains a foothold in the state.

"It's anything but dead," said Clyde Barrow, director of the Center for Policy Analysis at the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth. "It won't be the end of the issue as long as people from Massachusetts are going to Connecticut and Rhode Island to gamble."

The governor's plan called for three commercial casino licenses. It was defeated in the House on March 20 by a vote of 108 to 46.

In Middleborough, town officails are going forward with plans to host a huge casino owned by the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe.

"It couldn't be better," said John Healey, who was town manager in Middleborough when the multimillion-dollar casino agreement between the town and the Wampanoag tribe was brokered last summer. "I hope there never is another casino in the state."

"We're moving merrily along in our own direction, and if the state wants a piece of the action, they better make a compact with the tribe," said Middleborough Selectman Adam Bond, who helped draw up the casino agreement with the Mashpee Wampanoag. "If it's Class 2 gambling or if it's Class 3, it doesn't make a difference. The town will still get its money."

Unlike a Class 3 casino, a Class 2 facility does not have traditional slot machines and table games such as blackjack and craps. It makes its money off other games of chance.

Stephen Smith, director of the Southeast Regional Planning and Economic Development District, agreed the Wampanoag probably will get their casino. The tribe has been developing plans for the casino on 500 acres in Middleborough, seeking federal approval.

"I think if they don't get Class 3 gambling immediately, they'll get it down the road," Smith said. "And I'm sure the investors were happy they won't have the competition of other casinos."

Shawn Hendricks, chairman of the Mashpee Wampanoag, said last week that the tribe never has had any interest in bidding on one of Patrick's proposed commercial casino licenses. "We said we were following the federal process to put the land in trust."

The tribe, he said, also never had any intention of downsizing its casino plan, based on the threat of other casinos nearby. "The only changes we have made to the plan have been based on environmental issues, not on the possibility of three casinos in the state."

Barrow said he has heard discussion of a referendum question on casinos being placed before voters as soon as the fall, through an effort by either the labor unions or financial investors in casinos. A positive vote would put more pressure on the Legislature.

"Another option would be for the governor to reintroduce an [alternate] plan in January," Barrow said. "If he sees the Indians are getting their proposal on the way, he might make his plan for two casinos."

Smith agreed that the issue of expanded gaming will remain alive.

"I've got to think as we get into a recession and state revenues go down, this is going to look more attractive down the road," Smith said. "Whether it's slots, commercial casinos, or a Native American casino, I think it's just not going to go away."

Barrow said the governor could include a provision in new legislation for placing a limited number of video lottery terminals, a type of slot machine, at racetracks. That move might win over "racino" supporters in the Legislature, such as state Representative David Flynn, a Bridgewater Democrat, who has his own proposal for slots.

Flynn's bill calls for slots at the four racetracks in the state. Slot licenses would be sold by the state at $50 million each, and the slots would be up and running within 110 days, Flynn said.

"Based on 2,500 machines at each track, that would bring $400 million into the Commonwealth," he said. "I'm not saying this is a panacea to solve everything, but we need revenue."

Flynn predicted casinos eventually will emerge in Massachusetts, but slots, meanwhile, will create jobs and provide money. "I'm sure the bill will get a much stronger vote than the governor received. And if I have to, I'll bring it right back in January."

Barrow said the video lottery terminals have an added benefit for cities and towns. "Because video lottery terminals are considered Lottery, they are under the Lottery Commission and any revenue they earn goes straight into local aid," Barrow said.

Barrow predicted that the Mashpee Wampanoag will get their casino site in Middleborough put into federal trust and have a casino up and running within about three years. "It's only a matter of time until they get at least a Class 2 facility."

"Even with a Class 2, they could offer so-called bingo slots, that look to most players like slot machines. They could also offer poker and they might be able to sneak in roulette and blackjack. It may not be a Foxwoods, but the Seminoles have a Class 2 facility in Florida that's making them over a billion dollars." Barrow noted the state gets nothing if the tribe goes for Class 2 gambling.

But Rich Young, president of the anticasino group, Casino Free Mass, said he believes the recent defeat of Patrick's proposal in the House indicates Class 3 gambling may never gain a foothold in the state. "The governor's plan was defeated so badly, there doesn't seem to be a future for Class 3."

Young disagreed with Barrow's assertion that a Class 2 operation would be lucrative for the tribe.

"The Seminoles in Florida may be doing well, but they are 500 miles away from any slot machines," Young said. "Middleborough is a half-hour away from slot machines at Newport Grand and Twin Rivers, and an hour and a half away from casinos in Connecticut. I don't see how a Class 2 operation would be financially viable for the Wampanoag."

State Representative Thomas Calter, a Kingston Democrat who backed the governor's plan for commercial casino licensing, said he will continue to fight for commercial casinos and against the Mashpee Wampanoag plan for Middleborough.

"I think the Mashpee Wampanoag will proceed through the process and we will continue to scrutinize it," Calter said. "I'm against Indian gaming due to its lack of oversight.

"I plan to continue to work with members of the Legislature, so whenever we take up commercial gaming again, each will have a clear idea of the differences between Indian gaming and commercial gaming."

Christine Legere can be reached at christinelegere@yahoo.com.