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Massachusetts Gambling Advocates Rally

BOSTON, Massachusetts – As reported by the Providence Journal: "Ratcheting up their pressure on House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi, advocates of gambling legislation rallied outside the State House last week, arguing that blocking a vote on a slot-machines bill would rob the state of thousands of jobs and hundreds of millions in lost revenue.

"With demonstrators dressed as slot machines and horses draped in pro-slots banners, three House members joined four local mayors and several labor leaders on the steps of the State House to call for an up-or-down vote in the House. They said the revenue already being lost to other New England gambling venues was hurting municipal budgets by reducing local aid sent by Beacon Hill -- money often used for public safety and education.

"…A bill passed by the Senate this month would allow the state's four racetracks to install 2,000 slot machines apiece. Advocates say the state would reap hundreds of millions of tax dollars annually, with licensing fees fueling a $450-million payoff the first year, then $350 million the second…"

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