Casino news from http://www.boston.com/
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Chris Gabrieli proposed Tuesday to legalize casino gambling in Massachusetts as a means of raising revenue that can be sent back to cities and towns and reduce pressure to increase property taxes.
"We might as well be proactive," the venture capitalist-turned-politician said during an interview at his campaign headquarters. "A lot of Massachusetts residents are going to Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun down in Connecticut. By some estimates they spend $900 million a year there. The question is, would we be better off allowing that to happen in Massachusetts?"
Gambling is a perennially divisive issue on Beacon Hill, with the Democratic-controlled Legislature recently killing a bill to add slot machines at state racetracks. Gov. Mitt Romney, a Republican, vowed to veto it if it reached his desk.
Next year, the state may face the issue anew when an Indian tribe seeks federal approval for a casino on tribal property.
Gabrieli noted the state already allows gambling through the Massachusetts Lottery, the most successful of its kind in the nation. At the same time, Massachusetts residents have seen the property taxes increase by 32 percent since 2002.
Under the candidate's proposal, a Gaming Regulatory Commission would be established to coordinate and regulate the Lottery and develop new regulations for expanded gaming, including slot machines and casino gambling.
Nearly all of the resulting revenues would be returned to cities and towns in the form of local aid payments, save for an amount set aside for compulsive gambler support services.
Gabrieli, a multimillionaire, said expanded gambling wouldn't prey on the poor because most of those going to the Connecticut casinos are firmly middle-class, with the disposable income to allow gambling.
Christy Mihos, an independent gubernatorial candidate, has said he supports slot machines but not casinos in Massachusetts. A spokeswoman said Democrat Deval Patrick "has some reservations" about casinos, fearing they could hurt the Lottery, while a spokesman for Attorney General Tom Reilly, the third Democratic gubernatorial candidate, said Reilly "is open to the legalization of casinos."
The campaign for Republican candidate Kerry Healey said in a statement that she believes "casinos are a bad idea for Massachusetts."
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