-Kayla
From the American Gaming Association
From United to Stop Slots in Massachusetts
July 29, 2010
For most of the year, casinos in Massachusetts seemed like a sure bet. But lawmakers and Gov. Patrick have until midnight on Saturday to reconcile their differences, if they want to pass a casino bill this session.April 15, 2010
As the Bay State edges closer to passing expanded gambling legislation, Greater Boston examines the pros and cons of bringing casino gambling and racinos to Massachusetts. We travel to nearby Twin Rivers in Rhode Island and Mohegan Sun in Connecticut to see the effect casinos and slot machines have had in those two states.April 15, 2010
89.7 WGBH Reporter Phillip Martin moderates a discussion on how casinos could impact communities of color in Massachusetts, and what it says about the political and economic leadership of our communities.April 15, 2010
Is casino gambling in the state the last resort? Did policy makers exhaust all other options? 89.7 WGBH's Callie Crossley explores these questions and more. Plus, a look at gambling through the lens of American cinema.
 "The concern is this: that we'll get the slots and we won't get the casinos - and we need the jobs. The jobs come with the casinos."More > |
 "There is no doubt in my mind that there is a social cost to gaming... but there is a social cost to joblessness as well."More > |
 "You need destination casinos if you're going to do it. You need hotel and restaurant jobs. You need construction jobs... slots at the tracks, that doesn't do it for me." More > |
 "Predatory gambling is another kind of Madoff something-for-nothing scheme, which is why it will harm, not rescue, our economy."More > |
 "We need an independent cost-benefit analysis. We are so far down the road with these discussions and we didn’t even start at the beginning... we need to have a balanced discussion."More > |
 "The greatest possible tax revenues will be generated by a high-quality destination resort casino that produces gaming, sales, employee income, and property taxes."More > |
Emily Rooney looks at the passage of the gambling bill with “gambling guru” Senator Stanley Rosenberg, trends in state revenues from gambling, the effect of gambling in Detroit, and how compulsive gambling effects families.
Can passage of the gaming bill bring slot machines and new jobs to under-used dog and horse racing facilities and put the wonder back in Wonderland?
As lawmakers debate hosting only two casinos in the state, concerns are growing that southeastern Massachusetts could, once again, be forgotten.
Connecticut's Mohegan Sun is putting its money on Palmer — a small town just off the turnpike in Western Massachusetts — in hopes that lawmakers approve the development of resort casinos in Massachusetts.
As lawmakers begin debate on the expansion of gambling in the state, Middleborough residents have not forgotten how the battle over a casino tore their southeastern Massachusetts town apart.
House Speaker Robert DeLeo unveiled his much-anticipated casino proposal on Thursday which includes two resort-style casinos and slot machines for the state's struggling racetracks. DeLeo believes the casinos would create as many as 15,000 jobs.
Supporters and opponents of casino gambling rallied at the State House on March 31 to make their respective cases. Jared Bowen reports.
For the first time in nearly 300 years, a woman is heading up the Mohegans, the tribe that runs the Mohegan Sun casino and is looking to expand into Palmer, MA. Lynn Malerba, the new chief, joins Emily.Speaker Robert DeLeo put his cards on the table, pushing for two resort-style casinos and slot machines at the state’s racetracks. Emily Rooney is joined by Troy Siebels, executive director of Worcester's Hanover Theatre, who says casinos would have a crippling effect on local arts, and economist Clyde Barrows, who says casinos would give a boost to local theater venues.
Robert DeLeo took over as Speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives just over a year ago. He joins Emily to talk about the future of casino gambling, taxes, and the state’s economy.
Emily discusses the issue of casinos and slots in Massachusetts with Mariellen Burns, Sen. Bob Hedlund, and Peter Canellos.
Callie Crossley discusses the issue of casinos in Massachusetts with Peter Kadzis, executive editor of the Boston Phoenix; Arnie Arnesen, radio and TV commentator; and Sue O'connell, co-publisher, South End News and Bay Windows.
Legalized gambling in the Bay State holds the promise of jobs for workers and a new revenue source for the state. But will the projected revenue cover the social toll? Rep. Martin Walsh, who supports bringing casinos to Massachusetts, and Rep. Denise Provost, who believes the economic benefit has not yet been demonstrated, join Emily.
Republican candidate for governor Christy Mihos voices his support for expanded sports betting and slot machines. Mihos also says he opposes casinos in Massachusetts.
State Treasurer Tim Cahill pushes for licensing three slot parlors across Massachusetts as an alternative to resort casinos. Cahill says the slot parlors could eventually lead to resort casinos in Massachusetts.
Comments
Al 06.25.10
We don’t need the addiction, crime, broken families, and other social problems that this would bring in.
Much of the money made through the casinos will go back into paying for the very social problems it creates. What an absurd, vicious circle!
Are we crazy? Are our "representatives" crazy?
David 06.23.10
I dont know how you define "indepth," but I would ask that you do some background research on Cedric Cromwell. How much support does he have from members of the tribe? Are some tribal critics justified in asking "where did this guy come from?" How about a report in the Attleboro SunTimes that he owed $13,000 in back taxes and utility bills? Is the Mayor of Fall River being duped? Across the web, selfidentified members of the tribe ask "Who is Cedric Cromwell?" Its a valid question thats integral to the debate on casino gaming.
Celeste 04.19.10
Gambling is not an economic plan. All this effort and energy should be being put into the effort to make real industry in Massachusetts. Vote em all out on principle and lets start again. Thats not even a gamble!
04.19.10
Simple solutions to major problems are NEVER good for our nation. Please tell us ONE MORE city, other than Las Vegas, where gambling brought a lasting solution, choose any city in any state.
Kathryn 04.15.10
This is unhealthy from start to finish. Legalized gambling masquerades as a "solution" to a shortterm problem (job shortages) that has longterm implications in terms of social costs. Our current situation is painful, but it is shortterm. We need to buckle down and use our BRAIN POWER resources to come up with alternative ways to create REAL jobs and encourage REAL businesses that create wealth and dont just recycle the money thats already in the state. What model are we trying to emulate Nevada? New Jersey? is that how we want Massachusetts to be? What a mistake it would be to give in to this temptation.
