Patrick Going All-In to Pass Casino Bill in Massachusetts

If House Speaker Sal DiMasi, leader of the anti-gambling faction, convinces legislators to defeat the measure, the state would be hard-pressed to cover the losses to income in the budget.

Governor Deval Patrick  of Massachusetts is playing every card in his hand to win the battle to bring legalized casino gambling to his state. First Patrick addressed a crowd that included state lawmakers and national leaders in the gaming industry earlier this week; now Patrick is strongly considering submitting a budget that includes revenue from casinos.

State legislators joined such notables as Sheldon Adelson, Forbes' third-richest man in the U.S. and owner of the Venetian, and Gary Loveman, president of Harrah's Entertainment, in listening to Patrick's preemptive strike in favor of the casino bill before the Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures, and State Assets. Although the bill was not assigned to this committee, Patrick used the occasion to advance his cause, citing historical precedent for gambling in the state back to John Hancock.

Mayor Thomas Menino of Boston drew cheers from the large groups of union members present as he discussed the number of jobs that would be created by passing the proposal. He estimated 7800 permanent jobs would result at a Suffolk Downs casino alone. Many in the audience wore t-shirts reading, "Casinos + Unions = Good Jobs".

Later, Patrick revealed he is thinking of including an estimated $600 million in casino taxes as part of the budget for fiscal year 2009. There are potentially three casino licenses provided for in the bill, and each is thought to be worth in excess of $200 million. If House Speaker Sal DiMasi, leader of the anti-gambling faction, convinces legislators to defeat the measure, the state would be hard-pressed to cover the losses to income in the budget. Leslie Kirwan, a top aide to the Governor, has stated Massachusetts is facing a serious shortfall in funds to cover just basic services.

With such powerful arguments and influential allies, Patrick's proposal seems likely to pass. However, the bill will not officially be submitted to the Joint Committee on Economic Development and New Technology until next month, and DiMasi is intent on disrupting any smooth passage.