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Resort-style casinos gain support from Mass. legislative leaders

E-mail|Link|Comments () September 18, 2009 02:22 PM

By Matt Viser, Globe Staff

The odds appear to be growing. House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo and Senate President Therese Murray both indicated today they were open to the idea of resort casinos, one of the clearest indications yet that casinos may be allowed to open in Massachusetts.

DeLeo has been a supporter of expanded gambling, but in the past has put an emphasis on installing slot machines at racetracks instead of building resort-style casinos, complete with amenities such as hotels, shops, and golf courses.

“Given the importance of economic development as well as the vital need for revenue, I have expanded my thinking,” DeLeo said this morning in an address to the Associated Industries of Massachusetts. “In addition to my backing of slots, I now support resort casinos.”

DeLeo also said “we will site gaming facilities in a way that reflects the geographic diversity of our state.”

He said House lawmakers are currently in the process of crafting a proposal, and hearings will begin next month.

Murray, a supporter of expanded gambling who had not yet said what form she would back, told the Plymouth Area Chamber of Commerce, "I believe that if we are going to approve gaming, we should explore the option of resort-style destination casinos."

"The reality is that hundreds of millions of dollars are going to Connecticut casinos from Massachusetts residents every year," she said. "We need to explore ways how we can capture that revenue. ... These resort-style casinos would bring hundreds of construction jobs as well as permanent employment once they are operating."

Governor Deval Patrick’s plan to license three resort casinos went down in defeat last year, in large part because of powerful opposition of former House Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi. With DiMasi now out of office, the debate has taken a tone not of whether gambling will be brought to Massachusetts but of what type.

Matt Viser can be reached at maviser@globe.com.