Although the fortunes of Governor Deval Patrick's proposal to license three resort casinos in Massachusetts remain uncertain, the plan has been a sure bet for lobbyists trying to persuade state officials and lawmakers of its merits.
Fees reported by lobbyists representing gambling interests skyrocketed to $1.2 million in 2007, a flood of money that is expected to continue rising in 2008 as the Beacon Hill debate continues to heat up. The figures, reported in filings yesterday to Secretary of State William F. Galvin, are 48 percent more than in 2006 and 58 percent more than in 2005.
All told, 40 lobbyists from 25 companies registered to lobby on casino issues last year, according to the records.
Suffolk Downs has a team of nearly a dozen lobbyists making the case for a casino at the East Boston track. The track spent $240,700 last year, nearly three times more than it spent in 2006 and nearly twice as much as any other prospective casino developer.
Donald Trump is expected to put up the second-highest total, paying Massachusetts-based lobbyists Dennis Murphy and Anthony Abdelahad a combined $150,000, Murphy said. Their figures were not registered with the state last night.
"When stakes are high, so is the amount of spending to influence our elected officials," said Pam Wilmot, executive director of the government watchdog group Common Cause Massachusetts. "That's the nature of the beast."
Opponents of casino gambling do not appear to have any paid lobbyists, according to the disclosures. Instead, they are trying to knit together a grass-roots effort by holding meetings in communities, and urging residents to contact their legislators.
"It's about neighbors connecting up, not out-of-state casino prospectors," said Laura Everett, spokeswoman for Casino Free Mass, a coalition of several statewide groups that oppose casinos. They don't have a lobbyist, she said.
The latest figures include the months after Patrick filed legislation to license three resort casinos across the state. His support caused a flurry of activity on Beacon Hill, including efforts to sway several key legislators who oppose expanded gambling. The lobbyist presence was evident at a hearing last month, where executives in suits sat alongside T-shirt-clad union activists and applauded the governor's vociferous defense of his bill.
"Whenever there's a ramp-up and there looks like a chance for a vote, the money comes flowing in," said Senator Mark C. Montigny, a Democrat from New Bedford who has been skeptical of the proposal. "My sense is that they have probably spent a lot more time in the last year working with the administration as they develop the proposal. But there will be a frenzy now with the Legislature. They will make a very aggressive approach."
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The Aquinnah Tribe has also dramatically stepped up its lobbying effort, spending $75,000 last year. The tribe, which wants to bid for a casino with the Seneca Tribe, spent $5,000 in 2006 and nothing in 2005.
The Mohegan Tribe also hired a lobbyist, O'Neill and Associates, but reported spending only $3,000. Harrah's, which has casinos around the world, has been paying lobbyist Robert White for several years, preparing for the moment when the debate hit a high pitch. He was paid $60,000 last year.
Several major companies who specialize in casino gaming technology also have lobbyists pleading their case, even though they would not see any financial benefit until at least 2012, when the casinos would open.
The figures are likely to be incomplete because some lobbyists have not registered, as required by law, and because others might be exploiting loopholes. In September, Galvin sent warning letters to 29 people or organizations who had met with Patrick administration officials but were not registered as lobbyists. Many of those people still had not registered, according to the state's database.
Matt Viser can be reached at maviser@globe.com.
