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Massachusetts Casino Moratorium Reaches End

MASSACHUSETTS – As reported by the Standard Times: "The dawn of the new year has lifted a spell, officially ending a two-year moratorium on the issue of casino gambling imposed by the state House of Representatives in the early days of the Romney administration.

"Soon, the Bay State will pick up right where it left off. Already, the familiar debating points have been dusted off to be used again.

"The question is: Has the political ground shifted enough to tip the balance in the Legislature? Two years ago, the House of Representatives voted 81-65 against a plan to put slot machines into the state's four racetracks.

"Several bills have been filed for the new legislative session to open up the state to full-blown casino gambling, starting with slots at the tracks.

"But these bills are always filed. The question is, is there new life in them now?

"Virtually no one is willing to hazard a guess, including the leadership of the Wampanoag Aquinnah tribe of Martha's Vineyard.

"…But with winds of change blowing through the Legislature, the Wampanoags are poised to pounce on any opportunity -- granted through federal law -- that may present itself.

"Legislative approval of a single slot machine at any racetrack anywhere in Massachusetts would cross a critical line in the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, which says that if a state permits any Class 3 gambling whatsoever, then it must permit federally recognized tribes to operate their own casinos on tribal property.

"…Clyde Barrow, the pro-casino director of the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth's Center for Policy Analysis, points out, however, that finding a site and having it approved might be a lot tougher than the tribe believes. And it is something that has to happen, because a casino on Martha's Vineyard would be impossible. It needs to be on the mainland.

"The new speaker of the House, Salvatore D. DiMasi, D-Boston, doesn't have the anti-gambling track record wielded by his predecessor, Thomas Finneran.

"…Still, there's plenty of action brewing. Sens. Joan Menard, D-Somerset and Marc Pacheco, D-Taunton, along with Rep, Robert Koczera, D-New Bedford, are among those who have filed bills with the hopes that this might be the year…"

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