The Boston Globe is reporting that Dorchester, Massachusetts may soon have a casino! The Bayside Exposition Center in Dorchester is being touted as a potential casino site by the real estate executives that control the property. Nearby citizens in Warren, Massachusetts have convened groups of town leaders to conduct studies on the potential impact of having a casino in their midst. Meanwhile, state lawmakers are also convening in private legislative sessions to discuss expanded gambling options for the state.
The Boston Globe goes on to report that, “With gaming back atop the agenda this fall on Beacon Hill, there’s a flurry of activity among casino developers, landowners, politicians, and lobbyists, all of whom are looking ahead to what is likely to be the most friendly climate to date toward bringing casinos, and possibly slot machines, to Massachusetts.”
State senator Stanley Rosenberg, a Democrat from Amherst, was quoted as saying, “Lots and lots of meetings going on, and lots of discussions in the preparatory stage for what looks like the real debate. We’ve had some good run-ups to this, but this is where the rubber is really going to meet the road.” Senator Amherst is the State Senate’s point person for casinos and said that multiple options for gambling are being discussed including allowing resort-style casinos only, licensing slot machines for racetracks only, providing slot machines at bars and restaurants, and combinations of all of the above.
The dates for legislative hearings have yet to be set – and exact information about what form those hearings may take is being kept quiet. But rumors abound that the issue may come up as soon as next month. Though there does seem to be a “friendlier climate” towards bringing casinos to the state, powerful opponents of gambling, like former House Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi, are sure to be heard as well.
