The issue could be brought back after Salvatore DiMasi departure

Massachusetts casino plans looking up after resignation

(US).- The sudden departure of House Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi removes the state’s chief opponent of casino gambling and could jolt the issue back to life on Beacon Hill.
2009-01-29
Reading time 55 seg

However, recession has hit the gambling industry hard and developers appear wary of launching new ventures; some are not seeing a clear path to profitable gambling in Massachusetts.

Just because casinos may be politically possible in the near future doesn’t mean they will become reality any time soon. The recession has hit the gambling industry hard, slicing into profits and forcing layoffs at some casinos, making the prospect of developing new ones in Massachusetts far less enticing than it was a year ago. Developers appear wary of launching new ventures, and some are not seeing a clear path to profitable gambling in Massachusetts.

"’I think the change in speaker makes it an interesting discussion and potentially something that makes it a major development but, as we sit here today, I think it’s premature to say the casino industry is poised to flood the borders,” said Dennis Murphy, a former state legislator who was has lobbied on Beacon Hill for Donald Trump.

DiMasi was widely seen as the main road block to Governor Deval Patrick’s plan to license three resort casinos last year. While Patrick said three casinos would produce us$ 450 million in revenue, 20,000 jobs, and us$ 2 billion in economic activity, DiMasi derided those figures as inflated and warned of importing a “casino culture” of compulsive gambling and crime. Last March, he led the House in defeating the plan, 108 to 46.

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