Gabrieli supports building casinos in Bay State
Venture capitalist Christopher F. Gabrieli said yesterday he favors legalizing casino gambling in the state, as a way of generating revenues to help cities and towns avoid property tax increases.
The announcement makes Gabrieli the first gubernatorial candidate in the race to come out in support of building casinos.
Gabrieli, one of three Democratic candidates vying to be governor, said he would create a gaming commission that would set regulations allowing private businesses, as well as federally recognized Native American tribes, to operate slot machines and casinos. The commission, which would also oversee the state lottery, would set aside funding to handle any increased demands for public safety and for gambling addiction support services.
Gabrieli said casinos would bring in millions of dollars to the state that could be used to increase aid to cities and towns and ease the burden on homeowners trying to cope with rising property taxes.
``I'm not suggesting a Wild West," Gabrieli said in a telephone interview. ``This is a way to connect two things, the property tax challenge and what will we do about casinos. Rather than waiting for something to happen, we need to be proactive and come up with a plan."
Proposals to allow casino gambling in Massachusetts have been debated for decades. Supporters say casinos are thriving in many nearby states, and would generate much-needed cash flow for Massachusetts. Opponents say casinos would lead to more crime, traffic, and addiction. Most recently, legislators voted down a proposal to allow slot machines in the state's four racetracks.
The issue will probably become more contentious next year if federal recognition of the Mashpee Wampanoag stands. The tribe, which received preliminary recognition in April, would then gain sovereignty and the state would be required to negotiate a compact with the tribe on gambling rights.
Gabrieli said expanding legalized gambling would create jobs, boost tourism, and attract thousands of Bay State gamblers who take their money to other states. Massachusetts residents spent nearly $900 million at the Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun casinos in Connecticut last year, according to a study by the Center for Policy Analysis at the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth.
Gambling revenue would help support Gabrieli's tax plan, which calls for a 40 percent income tax reduction, among other things. Casinos would be built only in a few economically depressed cities, he said yesterday.
``This is a real opportunity that we literally drive away to Connecticut, and we need to keep it in our own state," he said.
When contacted yesterday, Attorney General Thomas F. Reilly , a Democrat, was the only other candidate to say he would support casinos. Deval Patrick, a Democrat, said in a statement that he opposes casinos, while Christy Mihos , an independent candidate, backs slot machines but not casinos. Lieutenant Governor Kerry Healey's campaign released a statement yesterday saying she does not favor casinos. Healey has previously said she would consider approving slot machines.
Officials from the Mashpee tribe, as well as the Wampanoags of Gay Head tribe, the state's other federally recognized group, said they were thrilled by Gabrieli's proposal and would probably build casinos if allowed to.
State Representative Daniel E. Bosley , a longtime critic of expanding legalized gambling, said casinos and slot machines would end up costing the state more money and would divert funds from the lottery
``Every year the gambling advocates come in and promise you billions of dollars of revenue without telling you the other side of the story," he said.
