Hot news yesterday was the proposal by Governor Deval Patrick of Massachusetts for three resort casinos in the state. Saying that “Casino gambling is neither a cure-all nor the end of civilization,” Patrick added that the creation of 20,000 jobs and hundreds of millions of dollars in extra state revenue for rebuilding the state’s roads and bridges as well as providing property tax relief meant that, in his opinion, casinos could work well for the Commonwealth.

Following months of study and deliberations Governor Patrick has decided that the financial advantages of casinos outweigh any possible social disadvantages. He now has to convince the Massachusetts legislature to support him. Those pleased with the decision include Trade Unions, tourism officials and some municipal officials, and of course potential licence bidders. Southeastern Massachusetts, Western Massachusetts and the Boston metropolitan area have been named as the three casino locations, with up to US$900 million in upfront fees for the state for the three 10-year licences.

Boston native Sheldon Adelson has already expressed an interest in a Boston casino, hotel and convention centre, with possible investment of US$3 billion. The Mashpee Wampanoag tribe, presently pursuing a tribal casino in Middleborough, would be encouraged to bid instead for a commercial licence for Southeastern Massachusetts. The details of how this encouragement would be offered are not yet known, but there could be advantages for both sides.

If the tribe takes the reservation route it could take years for Department of the Interior and compact approvals, leaving the Indian casino development behind the commercial casinos. If the Mashpee Wampanoag agree to bid for a commercial licence, the state would get tax revenue from the operation. Development partners of the tribe are Sol Kerzner and Len Wolman. Should the Massachusetts legislature not approve the Patrick plan, a tribal gaming in the state is a probability anyway.

An estimated US$900 million is annually gambled by Massachusetts’ residents at the two huge tribal casinos in Connecticut. Massachusetts already has gambling in the form of the aggressively marketed state lottery that also sponsors electronic Keno. There will be continuing opposition to casinos but, if commonsense prevails, the Patrick proposition should get approved. (E-09.18.07)

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